Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2025 opens in Morocco amid high expectations
- Morocco will host the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the second consecutive time, starting on July 5, 2025.
- Zambia, having performed well in the last tournament, is looking to capitalize on their momentum, equipped with star players like Barbra Banda.
- The tournament's kickoff will mark a significant moment for women's football in Africa, with teams aiming not only for the trophy but for broader recognition and growth.
Morocco is preparing to host the 15th edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will commence on July 5, 2025. Originally planned for mid-2024, the tournament was postponed by over a year to avoid clashing with the Paris Olympics. As a result of this delay, national teams faced challenges maintaining fitness and sharpness, navigating through sporadic friendlies and local training camps. Morocco will host the tournament for the second consecutive time, becoming the first nation to do so, and their recent performances have established them as strong contenders for the title. In Group A, Morocco will face Zambia, the DR Congo, and Senegal. Zambia, bolstered by key players Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, seeks to capitalize on their successful campaign from 2022, where they finished third. The team's confidence is high, especially given Banda's return to the squad after missing the previous WAFCON due to eligibility issues. Zambia aims to challenge Morocco, who denied them an Olympic spot last year, making this matchup particularly significant. Meanwhile, Senegal will look to leverage their experience, having made the quarterfinals in the previous edition. Though they entered the tournament as underdogs against Morocco and Zambia, they aim to advance by winning their other group match. DR Congo, marking their return to WAFCON after over a decade, faces an uphill battle, having lost several friendlies against both Morocco and Senegal leading into the tournament. This year’s tournament not only represents a major milestone for African women’s football but also serves to showcase the talents of players who have made their mark in international leagues. Despite various challenges, the anticipation for the competition is palpable, as teams and players prepare to contribute to the evolving landscape of women's football in Africa. As Morocco opens the tournament with their match against Zambia, the outcomes will offer deep implications for all teams involved and serve as a catalyst for the future of women's sports on the continent.