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CAF
06-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
2024 Women's AFCON – DR Congo - Senegal: A High-Risk Reunion of Comparable Ambitions
The moment of reckoning is approaching. This Sunday at 3 p.m. (local time), the El Bachir Stadium in Mohammedia will host a meaningful and historic clash between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal. A clash between two teams that, while not favourites for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024, are determined to defy the odds in a tough Group A. For the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is a grand return after a 12-year absence; for Senegal, it's a long-awaited confirmation after a convincing last edition. Two intertwined histories This is only the second time that the DRC and Senegal have met at the WAFCON finals. In 2012 in Malabo, the Leopardesses won 1-0 thanks to a Lucie Nono penalty in the 74th minute. At the time, neither nation had advanced beyond the first round, beaten by South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. 12 years later, the two teams find themselves in very different circumstances, but with the same ambition: to carve out a place for themselves in the African Women's Football scene. Since this Congolese success, the balance has tipped in favour of the Senegalese. In July 2024, the Lionesses of Teranga won two friendly games against DR Congo in Thiès (1-0, 2-0), demonstrating a reverse dynamic and an increasingly structured Senegalese national team. Hervé Happy: "We're here to do things, not to try." On the Congolese side, the message is clear, assertive, and straightforward. Hervé Happy, the Leopardesses' coach refuses to be overly formal. "When I get on a plane, I want a pilot who lands. I do not want a guy who says, 'I'm going to try. I'm not here to try, I'm here to do." The objective is strong, and the determination is straightforward. For the tactician, this WAFCON is one step towards the larger process leading up to the 2026 edition. But there is no question about wasting the current opportunity. "The preparation was complicated, but now we are here. We are in the competition – focused and ready to make our country proud." The DR Congo is returning to the WAFCON for the fourth time in their history having debuted in 1998 before returning in 2006 and 2012. Their best performance remains third place in 1998. Since then, the Leopardesses have disappeared from the radar. But this year, signs of a rebirth are there, starting with TP Mazembe's continental triumph in the CAF Women's Champions League last November. A victory on Moroccan soil that inspired an entire team. Senegal, the rise to power For Senegal, this WAFCON marks their third appearance in a final tournament after 2012 and 2022. It was a difficult start: zero points, zero goals scored in Equatorial Guinea 12 years ago. But their progress since is visible. In 2022, the Lionesses of Teranga made it past the first round, with victories against Uganda (2-0) and Burkina Faso (1-0), before falling to Morocco and then Zambia in the quarterfinals (1-1, 2-4 on penalties). Coach Mame Moussa Cissé at the helm of this team since 2019 wants to sustain this momentum. "We have learned. We know our team better, the competition better. This year, we come with the desire to write a new page in the history of Senegalese women's football." The ambition is clear: to go further than the quarterfinals In a group that also includes the host country Morocco, every match will count double. Barème Babou, the powerful Senegalese midfielder, knows this. "We get along well together, we are united. Against the DRC, it will be tough. We respect them. But we shall give 200%." The numbers support her point. Senegal has conceded only two goals in five matches at the WAFCON 2022. And above all, they have shown a mental and defensive solidity that can make the difference. Ndeye Awa Diakhaté scored Senegal's first-ever goal in the finals during the opening match against Uganda in 2022. Since then, the Lionesses have felt they have the right to compete in the big leagues. On paper, Senegal seems more structured, more consistent. But the DRC has the element of surprise, the emotional intensity of a long-awaited comeback, and a generation carried by the spirit of TP Mazembe.
CAF
04-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Senegal, DR Congo open TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024
Senegal face the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening Group A fixture at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024. The match will be played in Mohammedia on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 local time / 14:00 GMT). This will be just the second WAFCON meeting between the two nations. Their first encounter came in the group stage of the 2012 finals, where Lucie Nono scored a 74th-minute penalty to give DR Congo a 1-0 win in Malabo. Neither side progressed from the group, with hosts Equatorial Guinea and South Africa reaching the semi-finals. The most recent meetings between Senegal and DR Congo were a pair of friendlies held in Thies in July 2024. Senegal won both matches, 1-0 and 2-0. Clubs from the two countries also clashed at the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League, where eventual champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo defeated Senegalese side Aigles de la Médina 4-0 in their final Group A game in Casablanca on 15 November. This will be DR Congo's sixth match at the WAFCON against West African opposition. Their record from the previous five is one win and four defeats. That lone victory came against Senegal in 2012. DR Congo suffered heavy losses to Nigeria (6-0) and Ghana (4-1) in 1998, and were beaten by Mali (3-2) and Ghana (3-1) in the 2006 group stage. Across those five games, DR Congo have conceded 16 goals and scored five, with their only clean sheet coming in the win over Senegal. Senegal – Key Facts · This is Senegal's third WAFCON finals appearance after debuting in 2012 and returning in 2022. · They lost all three matches in 2012, including to DR Congo, South Africa, and hosts Equatorial Guinea. · In 2022, they reached the quarterfinals, winning their opening two group games (2-0 vs Uganda and 1-0 vs Burkina Faso) before losing to Morocco and exiting on penalties to Zambia after a 1-1 draw. · Senegal failed to score in 2012, but netted four goals and conceded just two in their five games in 2022 (including the World Cup play-off). · They kept three clean sheets in 2022 after none in 2012. · They have won one and lost one of their two opening WAFCON matches: a loss to DR Congo in 2012 and a win over Uganda in 2022. · Ndeye Diakhate scored Senegal's first-ever WAFCON goal in their 2022 opener, converting a 39th-minute penalty. · For the third time in three appearances, Senegal are drawn in a group with the hosts (Equatorial Guinea in 2012, Morocco in 2022 and 2024). · Their biggest WAFCON win to date was the 2-0 victory over Uganda in 2022. · Coach Mame Moussa Cissé is leading the team at a WAFCON finals for the second time, having taken over in 2019. · Senegal qualified for Morocco 2024 by defeating Mozambique 3-2 on aggregate in the first round and Egypt 4-0 on aggregate in the second. Democratic Republic of Congo – Key Facts · This is DR Congo's fourth WAFCON appearance after participating in 1998, 2006, and 2012. · They return to the finals after a 12-year absence. · Their best performance came in 1998 when they finished third. · DR Congo club TP Mazembe won the 2024 CAF Women's Champions League in Morocco, beating hosts AS FAR 1-0 in the final. · DR Congo reached the finals by defeating Benin 4-2 on aggregate and Equatorial Guinea 3-2 on aggregate in qualifying. · Merveille Kanjinga, a CAF Women's Champions League winner with TP Mazembe, scored in three separate qualifying matches. · DR Congo have never lost their opening game at a WAFCON: they beat Egypt 4-1 in 1998, drew 1-1 with Cameroon in 2006, and beat Senegal 1-0 in 2012. · They scored in six consecutive WAFCON matches between 1998 and 2012, including a 3-3 draw with Cameroon in 1998 and all three group games in 2006. · However, they've only won once in their last eight WAFCON matches (D2 L5). · Their biggest win remains the 4-1 victory over Egypt in 1998; their heaviest defeats were 6-0 losses to Nigeria (1998) and Equatorial Guinea (2012). · Across 11 WAFCON matches, DR Congo's games have produced 45 goals (an average of 4.1 per game). Only one of their matches has ended 0-0 (vs Morocco in 1998). · They've failed to score in just three of those 11 matches and kept only two clean sheets — against Morocco (1998) and Senegal (2012).
