WAFCON Quarterfinals Preview

A total of eight teams have advanced to the knockout phase of the tournament, with defending champions South Africa leading the way, alongside hosts Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, and Mali.

In Group A, Morocco emerged as the leader with seven points, qualifying alongside Zambia, while in Group B, it was the record champions Nigeria who secured the top position with seven points, followed by Algeria, which accumulated five points.

Meanwhile, Banyana, the title defenders from the 2022 edition, finished at the top of Group C with seven points, qualifying alongside Ghana’s Black Queens, who achieved four points.

Following the conclusion of the group stage, the tournament is set to transition into the knockout phase, commencing on Friday, with a highly sought-after position in the semi-finals on the line. The opening match of the quarter-finals will feature Nigeria facing off against Zambia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Related News: Black Queens thrash Tanzania 4-1 to book WAFCON 2024 Quarterfinal spot

This match is anticipated to showcase the finest talents in women's football, as Nigeria is expected to field prominent players such as Asisat Oshoala, while the formidable pair of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji will spearhead the Copper Queens.

As the match approaches, the Zambian players, under the leadership of captain Banda, have vowed to overcome Nigeria, asserting that they do not harbor any fear of their opponents. In preparation for the quarter-final against the Super Falcons, Banda has maintained a composed and focused demeanor.

“We now know we are facing Nigeria, and for us, it’s just about being ready mentally, physically and tactically. We respect them, but we don’t fear anyone. We know what we are capable of as a team,” Banda, who plays for National Women's Soccer League club Orlando Pride, told reporters.

“It’s not a new feeling. We have faced them before and came out with a positive result. That gives us belief, but we also know this is a new game and a new challenge. We need to show up with the same discipline, energy and focus we had against DR Congo and even more.”

Copper Queens winger Racheal Nachula said: “My teammates and I are very happy because we managed to come second in our group stage and of which our group I think it was very tough. Three teams from our group have qualified to the quarter-finals and that shows that our group was very tough and strong.

“As Copper Queens, we know that Nigeria is one of the best teams in Africa and I think Copper Queens also we are also one of the best teams in Africa. We can conquer each and every team and we are not scared of any team, like we cannot be scared of Nigeria.”

For Kudananji, who has already secured two woman of the match awards, the team is ready for any opponent that may arise next, with their focus steadfastly set on the ultimate prize of the tournament.

“We wanted first place, but unfortunately, we didn’t score more goals. That said, we don’t care which position we are in now, our eyes are still on the same thing,” she said.

Zambia began their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Morocco, then bounced back to secure a 3-2 victory over Senegal, followed by a narrow win against DR Congo. In contrast, Nigeria commenced their tournament with a 3-0 triumph over Tunisia, followed by a 1-0 win against Botswana, and concluded with a 0-0 stalemate against Algeria.

The upcoming match on Friday will feature Morocco taking on Mali at Stade Olympique in Rabat. Under the leadership of their renowned captain Ghizlane Chebbak, the Atlas Lionesses will strive to perform well on their home turf.

South Africa to face Senegal

The reigning African champions, South Africa, will face Senegal in the quarter-finals, aiming to maintain their aspirations of defending the WAFCON title. However, they will encounter Senegal, who progressed as one of the top third-placed teams.

Banyana coach Dr. Desiree Ellis has acknowledged that they will face significant challenges against the Senegalese team in the match scheduled for Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, on Tuesday, July 19th.

“We have a couple of days to have a good look at them, but they’ve shown in a very difficult group that they can fight it out with the best and we have to be at our absolute best to get a result because again it’s not going to be easy,” Ellis told SAFA Media after their final 4-0 win against Mali.

“I don’t think any game has been easy at this WAFCON, it shows that teams on the continent are improving – every FIFA International window there are countries playing.”

Ellis added: “This WAFCON is not just a one-sided tournament where you can predict an outcome. The games are so tight and it’s one moment of magic or one moment of madness or even a mistake by someone and then that’s it.

“This shows how tight the games are, so we have to be on top of our game against Senegal. They showed against Zambia and Morocco where they had very tight games but tonight was a statement and showed what we can do, and we’ve got to do even better.”

Related News: Black Queens thrash Tanzania 4-1 to book WAFCON 2024 Quarterfinal spot

In the concluding quarterfinal match scheduled for Tuesday, July 19th at Berkane Stadium in Berkane, Algeria, which has proven to be one of the unexpected contenders of the tournament, will face Ghana, a prominent force in African women’s football.

The Black Queens faced challenges in reaching this phase, securing only one victory from their three group matches; however, as stated by coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren, they will persist in approaching the tournament one game at a time.

"I always believed that we would win this game and make it to the quarter-finals. I understand the impact of the result. It is the knockout stages, and we continue to take it one game at a time,” said Bjorkegren after the 4-1 win against Tanzania, which enabled them to qualify for the last eight.

Historically, Nigeria stands as the most successful nation in the tournament since its full-scale inception in 1998, having secured victory in nine out of the 12 editions held thus far and reaching at least the semi-finals in every tournament they have participated in.

Equatorial Guinea triumphed as hosts in the 2008 and 2012 editions, while South Africa currently holds the championship title after winning the most recent 2022 edition, thus becoming the third African nation to achieve this feat. Morocco, Ghana, and Cameroon are the only countries, apart from the previous champions, to have reached the final of the tournament.