Latest news with #TotalEnergiesCAFWAFCON
CAF
4 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Ibtissam Jraidi: "My dream is to win the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with Morocco"
"We are preparing seriously to make our mark at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON," says the Atlas Lionesses striker. "I always want the fans to be satisfied with me and my performances on the pitch," said the Moroccan. "My goal is first and foremost to help my country, Morocco, stay on track." Ibtissam Jraidi, striker with the Moroccan women's national team, spoke to about her personal ambitions and her ultimate dream: to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in front of her home crowd at the 2024 edition to be held in July 2025. Morocco's first goalscorer at a FIFA Women's World Cup, she has already achieved several personal goals. But her obsession remains the continental title. At 32 years old, the player of Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) will have the opportunity to offer Morocco its very first continental title, three years after failing in the final against South Africa (2-1). In this in-depth interview, Jraidi talks about her progress, relationship with coach Jorge Vilda and vision for the upcoming tournament. How is your personal preparation for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON going? Ibtissam Jraidi: Thank God, my preparation is going well. We work on a regular basis, my teammates and I. We are aware of the responsibility we have. The Women's AFCON will be difficult. Each team will play its chances to the fullest. We are preparing seriously to make our voice heard in this competition. You have become an emblematic figure of Moroccan women's football, especially after your goal in the World Cup. Is this a pressure or a source of motivation for you? It's a real source of motivation. It pushes me to redouble my efforts to help my national team achieve its goals. Every player dreams of scoring at the World Cup, winning a trophy or an individual title. But nothing is easy: it requires work, sacrifices. It is the result of a total commitment. You took part in the last edition of the AFCON. What lessons have you learned from this? Honestly, we weren't deflated by the defeat in the final. We played against a very good South African team. It was small details that made the difference. That's football. We didn't win, but we didn't give up either. We have redoubled our efforts to come back stronger in this new edition. Since then, you have progressed on an individual level: second top scorer in the Saudi league, first Moroccan scorer in the World Cup... How do you feel about this recognition? I always try to make the fans proud, whether they are those of my club in Saudi Arabia or those of Morocco. I want them to be satisfied with my performances. But it takes a lot of work. In my eyes, what we give in training is reflected on the pitch. You have to be 100% focused on each session to be able to give the best of yourself in matches. Morocco has inherited a tough group with Zambia, Senegal and DR Congo. What is your opinion of the draw? They are solid opponents. Each team qualified for the finals comes with the ambition to win. Everyone is aiming for the title, and it often comes down to a few things. As far as we are concerned, we work seriously. We know our mission, and we will give everything to go as far as possible. And why not win the cup? We want to make our people proud. What are your personal ambitions for this edition of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON? My goal is above all to help my country stay on the right track. I want to give everything I can offer, 200%. To be useful to my teammates, to my team and to Morocco to win this title. That's what matters most to me. What is your role within the current group? If I am selected, my role is clear: to contribute to the team and to the country. Individual considerations come second. I just want the technical staff and the directors to be satisfied with my work and my commitment. Jorge Vilda, world champion with Spain, is now the coach of Morocco. How do you feel about this change and what does it bring to the group, especially in your position as a striker? Working with him has allowed me to gain confidence. He believes in my qualities and transmits great energy to us. It prepares us mentally, motivates us, and pushes us to surpass ourselves. He makes us want to go on the pitch with a smile, and fight until the end. For me, he's the best coach in the world. If you could talk to the 15-year-old Ibtissam, what would you say to her? I would tell her to never give up, to keep believing in her dreams, to work hard, to persevere. If you want something deeply, you can achieve it. You have to chart your own path, accept failures, get back up and keep moving forward. Thank God, I achieved almost all of my goals. I have only one dream left: to win the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with my country. That's my ultimate dream today. And I hope that we will achieve this together, with ambition and solidarity. A last word for the Moroccan fans, who place a lot of hope in your team? Moroccans love football, and they love results. I ask them to continue to support us, until the last minute. The fans are our 12th player. They give us incredible strength. We will fight for them on the pitch, we will give much more than our maximum. We will play for them, and if we have to, we will fight to the end for their pride.
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Barbra Banda and Rasheedat Ajibade to take part in third TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Stars Spotlight Webinar on Monday, 23 June
Published: Sunday, 22 June 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) will host the third and final instalment of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Stars Spotlight Webinars on Monday, 23 June at 15h00 GMT, with some of the continent's top stars to take part, among them Barbra Banda and Rasheedat Ajibade. As part of its commitment to elevating the profile of women's football in Africa, CAF has launched the dynamic digital series to amplify the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, that will be staged between 5 - 26 July. The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON is the flagship women's competition on the African continent and continues to experience exceptional growth in global viewership, fan attendance and commercial strength. The first two webinars proved a great success, providing in-depth insights for the media who attended. The line-up for the third Webinar includes moderator Thato Moeng and some of Africa's leading players: Barbra Banda (Zambia) Jennifer Cudjoe (Ghana) Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria) Sedilame Maitumelo Boseja (Botswana) Translation services will be available to media who wish to take part in the discussion. The sessions are designed to highlight Africa's deep reservoir of talent and celebrate the unique stories of players who are driving the women's game forward across the globe. For more on the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, visit -ENDS- Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
CAF
7 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
D-13 before the Women's AFCON: The stadiums of the Women's AFCON 2024
The TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 is just around the corner. With 13 days to go before kick-off, let's head to the stadiums that will serve as the setting for the 26 matches of this 15th edition. The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 starts in 13 days. For the first time in its history, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON will be played at six venues in five cities: the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the El Bashir Stadium in Mohammedia, the Larbi Zaouli and Père Jégo stadiums in Casablanca, as well as the Oujda and Berkane stadiums. OLYMPIC STADIUM OF RABAT A true symbol of modernity, with 21,000 seats, the Olympic Stadium of Rabat, located south of the Moroccan capital, will be inaugurated on the occasion of this 15th edition. It will host six major games, including the opening match and the grand final. Rabat Olympic Stadium matches: 5 July 2025 Group stage: Morocco v Zambia, 21:00 (local time) 9 July 2025 Group stage: Democratic Republic of the Congo v Morocco, 20:00 (local time) 12 July 2025Group stage: Senegal v Morocco, 20:00 (local time) 18 July 2025 Quarter-final 1: 1st in Group A v 3rd in Group C/B, 20:00 (local time) 22 July 2025 Semi-final: Winner Quarter-final 1 v Winner Quarter-final 4, 20:00 (local time) 26 July 2025Final: Winner Semi-final 1 v Winner Semi-final 2 EL BACHIR STADIUM Head to Mohammedia, on the outskirts of Casablanca, where the El Bachir Stadium stands. The 15,000-seat stadium recently hosted the final of the TotalEnergies CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations between Morocco and Mali, which ended in a draw (0-0) before a Moroccan victory on penalties (4-2). For this TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, the El Bachir Stadium will host three matches. El Bachir Stadium matches: 6 July 2025 Group stage: Senegal v Democratic Republic of Congo, 15:00 (local time) 9 July 2025 Group stage: Zambia v Senegal, 17:00 (local time) 12 July 2025 Group stage: Zambia v Democratic Republic of Congo, 20:00 (local time) LARBI ZAOULI STADIUM Located in the Hay Mohammadi district of Casablanca, the Larbi Zaouli Stadium can accommodate up to 30,000 seated spectators. It is the second largest stadium in the city, behind the Mohamed V Stadium. A total of six matches of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 will be played there. The matches of the Larbi Zaouli stadium: 6 July 2025Group stage: Nigeria v Tunisia, 17:00 (local time) 10 July 2025 Group stage: Botswana v Nigeria, 20:00 (local time) 13 July 2025 Group stage: Nigeria v Algeria, 20:00 (local time) 18 July 2025 Quarter-final 2: 1st Group B v 2nd Group A, 17:00 (local time) 22 July, 2025Semifinal 2: Winner of Quarterfinal 2 vs. Winner of Quarterfinal 3, 17:00 (local time) 25 July, 2025 Third-place match: Loser of Semifinal 1 v Loser of Semifinal 2, 20:00 (local time) PÈRE JÉGO STADIUM Located in Casablanca, the Père-Jégo Stadium is the home of Racing Athletic Club. With a capacity of 10,000 seats, it will be one of the venues mobilized for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, with three matches scheduled on its lawn. The matches of the Stade du Père Jégo: 6 July 2025 Group stage: Algeria v Botswana, 20:00 (local time) 10 July 2025 Group stage: Tunisia v Algeria, 17:00 (local time) 13 July 2025 Group stage: Tunisia v Botswana, 20:00 (local time) HONNEUR STADIUM Oujda Sports Complex is an Olympic stadium located in the city of Oujda, Morocco. It has a capacity of 19,800 seats, 4,800 of which are covered, and is equipped with a natural grass lawn. Four matches of the competition will be organized there. Matches at the Stadium of Honour: 7 July 2025 Group stage: South Africa v Ghana, 17:00 (local time) 11 July 2025 Group stage: Tanzania v South Africa, 20:00 (local time) 14 July 2025 Group stage: South Africa v Mali, 20:00 (local time) 19 July 2025 Quarter-final 3: 1st Group C v 3rd Group A/B, 20:00 (local time) BERKANE STADIUM The Berkane Municipal Stadium is a venue dedicated to football, located in the city of Berkane, Morocco. With a capacity of 15,000 seats, it will host four matches of the competition. Berkane Stadium matches: 7 July 2025 Group stage: Mali v Tanzania, 20:00 (local time) 11 July 2025 Group stage: Ghana v Mali, 17:00 (local time) 14 July 2025 Group stage: Ghana v Tanzania, 20:00 (local time) 19 July 2025 Quarter-final 4: 2nd Group B vs 2nd Group C, 17:00 (local time)
CAF
21-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024: Mali Team Profile
How the team qualified Mali qualified for the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations by demonstrating clear dominance throughout the qualifiers. In the first round, the Eagle Ladies faced the Central African Republic. The first leg, played in Douala on 22 September 2023, ended in an attacking showcase with a 7-1 victory, notably featuring a hat-trick from Agueissa Diarra and goals from Fatou Dembélé, Aïssata Traoré, Bintou Koité, and Aminata Doumbia. In the return leg in Bamako, the Malians comfortably wrapped up qualification with a 3-1 win, taking the aggregate score to 10-2. In the second round, they faced Guinea and once again impressed. On 29 November in Bamako, they secured a 7-2 win, and completed qualification in Conakry on December 5 with a 3-0 victory. Across both rounds, Mali scored 20 goals and conceded only 3, earning one of the most convincing records in the qualifiers. TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON history This is Mali's 8th appearance. Their best result to date is a 4th place finish in 2018 in Ghana, after a 4-2 loss to Cameroon in the third-place match. Players to Watch Agueissa Diarra: The current star of the Malian team. Developed at FC Super Lionnes in Bamako, this talented forward joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2023—a prestigious club where she plays alongside international stars. Her rapid development at club level has provided her with valuable experience at the top level of European football, which she now brings to her national team. Fast, powerful, and with a keen eye for goal, Diarra stood out during the 2024 qualifiers with a hat-trick against the Central African Republic. She is Mali's top offensive weapon, capable of changing a match with individual brilliance. Aïssata Traoré: The embodiment of elegance in midfield. Currently playing for FC Fleury 91 in France's top division, she's known for her passing quality, vision, and ability to control the tempo. At 28, she brings solid experience on the continental stage, having featured in several AFCON campaigns, notably the 2018 tournament where she was one of the key players in Mali's fourth-place finish. Gifted with an excellent left foot, she excels in quick transitions and through balls. Her tactical awareness and technical precision make her a cornerstone of Mali's midfield. A quiet leader, she will be key in guiding younger players in a squad that blends experience with youthful energy. Mohamed Saloum 'Housseï' was appointed head coach of the Malian women's national team in 2021. Since taking charge, he has focused on rebuilding the squad with a mix of local talent and players based abroad to enhance the team's competitiveness on the continental stage. His tactical approach emphasizes a balance between defensive discipline and attacking expression, with a special focus on tactical structure. Housseï favors a compact unit capable of moving together as a block, while relying on creative midfielders and fast, incisive forwards like Agueissa Diarra. He also values the versatility and game intelligence of his players, enabling the team to switch between short-possession play and rapid transitions. Ambitions and Group Analysis Mali will compete in Group C of the competition—a challenging group that includes reigning champions South Africa, continental regulars Ghana, and an improving Tanzania. South Africa will most likely be their toughest opponents. Ghana is a familiar rival for Mali, with numerous past encounters in high-stakes matches. Tanzania, often underestimated, has shown clear progress in recent years thanks to better youth development structures and promising results in the CECAFA region. Aware of the challenges ahead, head coach Mohamed Saloum 'Housseï' approaches this final phase with ambition. With a squad that blends local youth and Europe-based experience, Mali is aiming for at least a quarter-final berth, while also hoping to reach a new milestone in its continental journey.
CAF
21-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON 2024: Zambia Team Profile
Published: Saturday, 21 June 2025 How the team qualified Zambia secured their TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations place by eliminating Angola in the second round of the qualifiers. The Copper Queens recorded a dominant 6–0 away win in Luanda and followed it up with another 6–0 victory at home in Lusaka. This emphatic triumph reflects the continued rise of a young yet experienced squad, which also featured at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON history Zambia has emerged as a rising force in recent years. Their best performance to date remains a third-place finish in 2022, earned after defeating Nigeria in the third-place play-off. It marked their first-ever continental medal. The team went on to make history again by qualifying for the 2023 World Cup, where they claimed their first win at the tournament with a 3–1 victory over Costa Rica. Players to watch Barbra Banda: A true icon of Zambian football, the captain is a powerful and determined striker capable of changing a game single-handedly. She made headlines with back-to-back hat-tricks at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics against China and the Netherlands. She repeated the feat at Paris 2024 against Australia. Now playing for Orlando Pride in the NWSL, she continues to impress with her consistency, charisma, and ability to step up in key moments. A natural leader, she embodies the hopes of a nation dreaming of establishing itself among the elite of women's football. Racheal Kundananji: Together with Banda, she forms a formidable attacking duo. Her explosiveness, power, and eye for goal make her one of the most closely watched players on the continent. After a standout spell with Madrid CFF, she made headlines with a record-breaking move to Bay FC, becoming the most expensive African player in history and completing the second-costliest transfer in the history of women's football. At both club and international level, she is known for her composure in front of goal and her rare ability to create space in opposition defences. Head Coach Nora Häuptle was appointed as Zambia's head coach in January 2025, following a successful stint in charge of Ghana. The Swiss tactician and former international is known for her tactical discipline, defensive solidity, and preference for rapid transitional play. Since taking over, she has instilled a new level of discipline within the Copper Queens while building a competitive side around the attacking prowess of Banda and Kundananji to compete at continental and global stages. Ambitions and Group Analysis Under Häuptle's guidance, the Copper Queens aim to reach new heights by cementing their place among Africa's women's football powerhouses. Drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, they face a tough challenge. In this tightly contested group, the Copper Queens will look to continue their ascent and prove they can match the continent's strongest teams.
