Latest news with #Wafcon2024
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Wafcon return provides 'hope' in eastern DR Congo
After a surge in violence in the country this year, playing at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) has taken on a deeper meaning for players and supporters of DR to the tournament for the first time since 2012, the Leopardesses have provided a brief opportunity for the nation to forget about the devastating conflict that has afflicted its eastern provinces for offensive which M23 rebels launched in January garnered international attention, and their swift advance saw them take control of territory which holds deposits of valuable rare earth is overwhelming evidence that Rwanda, DR Congo's neighbour, is backing the M23 but the government in Kigali denies providing the group with financial or military support.A peace deal which DR Congo and Rwanda signed at the end of June has offered hope that the region can start a new chapter. This month in Morocco, Congolese footballers have also been looking to give their compatriots something to cheer."Seeing the victims - children, mothers, fathers who've lost loved ones, and families torn apart - was heartbreaking," midfielder Marlene Yav Kasaj told BBC Sport Africa."It's been hard to cope with."For me, the support I offer is simple: when I'm on the pitch I feel compelled to win, even if it's just to bring a small moment of happiness to our people."The peace deal, signed in Washington DC, demanded the "disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration" of armed groups fighting in the east of DR the government in Kinshasa remains in negotiations with the M23 about a in some of the worst-affected regions, a traumatised local population continues to search for Joseph, a supporter attending his country's first group game against Senegal in Mohammedia, told BBC Sport Africa that football "is a kind of hope for the people that live in this part of the country". Finding relief The United Nations says thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians forced from their homes following the rebel offensive. The M23 disputes the figures, saying fewer than 1,000 people have the capital of North Kivu province, bore the brunt of some of the worst fighting at the start of this year and remains under rebel resident of the city told the BBC their experiences have had a "profound psychological impact"."The traumatic events we witnessed in January, with bodies lying in the streets, military effects scattered everywhere, people being killed indiscriminately and the stench of decomposing corpses, left us disturbed," the contributor, who chose to remain anonymous, alongside having to deal with the consequences of the presence of troops in Goma, they said the chance to cheer on their team at Wafcon offered "an opportunity to regain national pride and glory"."It would be a chance for us to marvel and momentarily escape the trauma that Goma has endured," they Kasaj, who plays for Lubumbashi-based TP Mazembe, the country's biggest club, has been personally affected by the conflict."Hearing about it from afar is one thing, but when family and friends are caught up in situations like this, you can't ignore it. You feel out of sorts," the 22-year-old midfielder admitted."I lost a friend there; she was a war victim. We're committed to fighting for the joy of everyone in Goma." 'Our sympathies are with them' The situation in eastern DR Congo has fallen down the international news agenda, with the war in Ukraine and the Israel-Gaza conflict garnering more lack of focus is something that has previously inspired the nation's footballers to use their platform to push for Congo's men made a high-profile appeal to end the violence at last year's Africa Cup of Nations, making a unified gesture when lining up for their national anthem ahead of a semi-final defeat against hosts Ivory Leopardesses, however, do not look likely to repeat that on-field success and have also had to deal with a dispute over pay and lost their opening two games to Senegal and hosts Morocco, conceding four goals in both matches, but forward Olga Massombo says the side remain motivated to perform."Our parents, our sisters back home are going through war, men and women there are still fighting," she said."Us coming here is an honour. Obviously losing these matches we know we might have let them down, but the goal is to progress."When I'm talking about progress, it is not just about us a team but [for] the whole country to get better."Our sympathies are always with them and we represent everyone back home. We know what they are going through. It is only right for us to give everything we have." 'The pain of loss lingers' Celia, another fan who has been in attendance, believes the players have been unable to switch off from the many problems both at home and in the build-up to Wafcon."They've put all their efforts into the game, but they haven't been able to focus on that," she said after the 4-2 defeat by Morocco in Rabat."We know there is a problem in the east. We had to do our best for the blood that flows over our country."In December, the men's team will make their own journey to Morocco to take part in the 2025 Nations says the fans in the stadiums will continue to make themselves heard."As a country we are giving all our energy behind our national teams, both women and men," he said."With the recent accord that has been signed between the United States, Rwanda and DR Congo we hope that things are going to be better and we can get a ceasefire and open a humanitarian corridor for the people that are suffering."DR Congo must win their final Group A fixture against Zambia – and by a large margin given their goal difference of minus six – to stand any chance of reaching the quarter-finals as one of the best-ranked third place of the tournament, Yav Kasaj said the team had "done what we can" by qualifying."While some might say the DRC has won, the pain of loss lingers," she explained."We're growing up in a reality where people are dying, and we're constantly troubled."
The Guardian
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Spain's fireworks and Portugal's Euro 2025 lifeline – Women's Football Weekly
On the podcast today: Spain continue to show why they are favourites with another goal-fest, this time putting six past Belgium. The panel ponders potential defensive frailties in the Spain team and how they will approach their final group game, and asks whether Belgium can take anything from their spirited performances. Also in Group B, Portugal are held Italy to a dramatic 1-1 draw in Geneva, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive. Over in Group A, Norway become the first team to book their place in the last eight, while hosts Switzerland kept send their fans wild by knocking out Iceland. Finland remain a dark horse, and a huge winner-takes-all clash with Switzerland looms. Plus: the panel looks ahead to must-win matches for both England and Wales on Wednesday, delves into the latest from Wafcon 2024, and identifies the difference between fondue and raclette. Sign up for our weekly women's football newsletter – all you need to do is search 'Moving the Goalposts sign up' or follow this link. Support the Guardian here.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wafcon 2024: Some first-timers wey fit help Nigeria Super Falcons sustain dia legacy
Na few hours remain for di 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations [Wafcon] to start. Di opening ceremony go happun for di Olympic Stadium for Rabat. Di opening match na host Morocco vs Zambia. But for di Super Falcons of Nigeria, na less dan one day to dia opening match. Di Super Falcons na one of di strongest sides for dis tournament. In fact, dem be di most decorated sake of say dem bin don win di trophy nine times. Now dem dey compete to win dia 10th title. No women's team for Africa don come near dis achievement, na why Head Coach of di team Justin Madugu tell Nigerians say dem dey do evritin to make sure say di team maintain di confidence wey dem get ova di years. "We dey do evritin on our part to make sure say we sustain di confidence wey Nigerians don give us, we go try as much as possible to meet una expectations, make una kontinu to trust and support di team." Join Pidgin WhatsApp Channel for more tori on Wafcon 2024. Coach Justin Madugu take ova from American Coach Randy Waldrum wey bin dey lead di team from 2020 till September 2024. As Madugu don come now, im fit help Super Falcons overcome dia shortcomings? Wetin be di shortcomings of di Super Falcons? Some pipo go still ask wetin be di shortcomings of a team wey dey always represent for women's football for Africa and nobody don beat dia record till now. Di answer be say even though dis team dey shine well-well according to history, dem neva too perform well in recent years. Di last time wey dem win dis Wafcon trophy na six years ago, 2018 wen dem beat South Africa [4-3] on penalties for Accra Ghana. Wen former Coach Randy Waldrum bin take over for 2020, expectations bin no too high sake of say di man na University student coach and im bin dey do di Super Falcons job side by side wit im oda work. Randy Waldrum bin no to dey steady wit di team and some women's football pundits bin tok say na one of dis distractions wey di team bin get. Randy Waldrum manage carry dem finish fourth for di 2022 edition, na Zambia beat dem 1-0 for di third place match for Morocco. Now wey Justin Madugu don take charge of di team, Nigerians believe say im go do well. Nigeria dey Group B wit Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana, Nigerians believe say di kontri go qualify from dis group. Some oda pipo dey argue say host kontri Morocco fit win sake of di way dia women football dey grow and di kain players wey dem get. See di complete Wafcon 2024 squad and di ogbonge players wey dey dis tournament. Who be di first timers and wetin dem fit do Di Nigeria squad list for di 2024 Wafcon get a combination of both old and young players. And on Friday, di players get dia official jersey numbers for di tournament. Some of di Wafcon first-timers na homebased players from di Nigeria Women Premier League [NWPL]. Miracle Usani - She be defender wit Edo Queens. For 2022 she bin win bronze medal for di U17 Women's World Cup. Di Confederation of African Football [Caf] bin also name her for di Women's Champions League Best XI [Eleven] She win di West Africa Football Union [Wafu B] Women Champions League qualifier last season for Ivory Coast. Miracle wey dey 18 years na one of di most promising defensive talents for Nigeria. Dem fit add value to di team and dem go try to show say dem no come dis tournament to play, some of dem na: Racheal Onachukwu - Na Goalkeeper wey dey play for Nasarawa Amazons. She be dia number one goalkeeper and Sikiratu Isah of Nasarawa Amazons too go play dia first Wafcon. Oda players to watch na Shikurat Oladipo wey come from FC Robo Queens for Nigeria move to AS Roma Ladies. Experienced hands Di Wafcon team get plenti players wey don win di title bifor, dis players don play for di higest level of international footballl. Di likes of Francesca Ordega wey dey currently play for Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia. Osinachi Ohale don dey play for di national team for ova 10 years, she bin start wit U – 20 for 2010. She be part of di team wey bin win in di title 4 times back to back. Tochukwu Oluehi na di former number one goalkeeper for Super Falcon bifor Chiamaka take ova. Di former Rivers Angels goalkeeper still dey play professional football. She aslo get Wafcon titles to her name. Asisat Oshoala na di most decorated Women's Footballer for Africa. She don win multiple Wafcon titles and also Caf Women's Player of di Year a record six times. Di question na if di experience wey dis players get go pay-off dis time. Na only time go tell if dia experiences fit help Nigeria win dia 10th title.
BBC News
02-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Evritin you need to sabi about Wafcon 2024 finals
Di 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) dey come closer, as Morocco don ready to host di finals for di second time back to back. Afta dem push am back wit one year sake of scheduling issues, di tournament go start on Saturday, 5 July wen hosts Morocco go face Zambia for di Olympic Stadium in Rabat. Pipo wey dey listen to di World Service for Africa go hear live radio commentary of di game, di group clash between Mali and Tanzania, di two semi-finals and di final. Record nine-time champions Nigeria go also dey in action for di opening weekend, dem go face Tunisia for Group B, while defending champions South Africa go start dia defence against Ghana for Group C on Monday, 7 July. But wen dem go play di oda group fixtures go happun? Wetin be di format of di tournament? Wia dem go play di matches and wen dis matches go start? All di tori wey you need ahead of di 13th edition of Africa's biggest women's footballing event dey inside hia. Wetin be di groups? Di Confederation of African Football (Caf) share di 12 teams wey qualify into three groups of four teams. Hosts Morocco get tough assignment for Group A, sake of say dem group dem wit Zambia wey bin beat dem for di qualification for di 2024 Olympic Games. Di Atlas Lionesses go also face Senegal and DR Congo, di top-ranked side from pot four. Di draw no too stress Nigeria, wey dey hope to win dia first title since 2018 and dem still remain di top-ranked side for Africa and 36th for di world. Di Super Falcons go play Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana - di lowest-ranked nations from each pot. Group C get title holders South Africa wey go play Ghana and Mali, di two teams retuen to di finals for di first time since 2018, and Tanzania, wey dey come di tournament for just di second time afta dem showface for di first time for 2010. Di top two teams for each group and di two best-ranked third-placed teams go progress to di quarter-finals. Group A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo. Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana. Group C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania. Wafcon 2024 schedule and kick-off times Afta di opening match, at least dem go play two matches evriday during di group stage wey go run until Monday, 14 July. Di matches go happun 13:00pm, 16:00 and 19:00 (all times GMT) during di group stage. Dem go use di last time 19:00 for di two kick-off time for di final two rounds of group games and di knockout stages, wey go start on Friday, 18 July. Wafcon 2024 venues: Wia dem go play di matches? Morocco bin host di Wafcon finals three years ago, but dem no go use di three venues dem use before again dis time. Di North African kontri dey do plenti redevelopment projects as e dey prepare to stage di 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-host di 2030 Fifa World Cup. Six stadiums will be used in five host cities, with two in Casablanca. Di stadiums wey dem go use dis time na: Who be di favourites? Out of di 12 nations wey dey compete for Morocco, only Nigeria and South Africa don win di Wafcon trophy. Di Super Falcons of Nigeria go travel to di kingdom wey get rich pedigree under homegrown coach Justin Madugu. Chiamaka Nnadozie na di Africa best goalkeeper for di past two years and forward Asisat Oshoala go brings star quality and di mentality to win. Coach Desiree Ellis of South Africa dey hope to defend di trophy wit di Banyana Banyana side wey go compete without dia ogbonge striker Thembi Kgatlana sake of of personal reasons. However, Jermaine Seoposenwe don show hersef for Monterrey for Mexico and Hilda Magaia, wey share di Wafcon golden boot wit her for for 2022, dem go provide a cutting edge in front of goal. Morocco don invested heavily for football infrastructure in recent years but dia women team neva get di success wey dia men get to becom di top team for di continent. Atlas Lionesses get di Spanish football coach wey bin don win di Women's World Cup winner in di shape of Jorge Vilda. E bin guide Spain to di title for 2023. Zambia bin finish third for di last edition and dem get di reigning Women's African Footballer of di Year, Barbra Banda, wey bin dey forced to miss out on di 2022 finals. Di Orlando Pride striker go form strong partnership wit Racheal Kundananji, and di two strikers dey among di top four most expensive female players of all time. Swiss coach Nora Hauptle go guide di bid of di Copper Queens' afta she bin dey in charge of Ghana. We go dey ask for too much if we tell di oda eight teams to mount serious challenge for di title, wit Ghana wey be di only nation among dem to appear for di final (1998, 2002 and 2006). Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 group fixtures All kick-off times GMT. Saturday 5 July Group A: Morocco vs Zambia, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa Sunday 6 July Group A: Senegal vs Ivory Coast, El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (14:00) Group B: Nigeria vs Tunisia, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00) Group B: Algeria vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Monday 7 July Group C: South Africa vs Ghana, Honneur Stadium, Oujda (16:00) Group C: Mali vs Tanzania, Berkane Stadium, Berkane (19:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa Wednesday 9 July Group A: Zambia vs Senegal, Mohammedia (16:00) Group A: DR Congo vs Morocco, Rabat (19:00) Thursday 10 July Group B: Botswana vs Nigeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00) Group B: Tunisia vs Algeria, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Friday 11 July Group C: Ghana vs Mali, Berkane (16:00) Group C: Tanzania vs South Africa, Oujda (19:00) Saturday 12 July Group A: Morocco vs Senegal, Rabat (19:00) Group A: Zambia vs DR Congo, Mohammedia (19:00) Sunday 13 July Group B: Nigeria vs Algeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Group B: Tunisia vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Monday 14 July Group C: South Africa vs Mali, Oujda (19:00) Group C: Ghana vs Tanzania, Berkane (19:00) Wafcon quarter-final fixtures Friday 18 July QF1: Group A Winner vs Group C/B 3rd Place, Rabat (19:00) QF2: Group B Winner vs Group A Second Place, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00) Saturday 19 July QF3: Group C Winner vs Group A/B 3rd Place, Oujda (19:00) QF4: Group B Second Place vs Group C Second Place, Berkane (16:00) Semi-finals Tuesday 22 July SF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4, Rabat (19:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa SF2: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa Third place play-off Friday 25 July SF1 losers vs SF2 losers, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Wafcon 2024 final Saturday 26 July SF1 winners vs SF2 winners, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Everything you need to know about Wafcon 2024 finals
The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is drawing ever closer, with Morocco staging the finals for the second time in a being pushed back a year because of scheduling issues, the tournament kicks off on Saturday, 5 July when the hosts take on Zambia at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat (20:00 GMT).Listeners to the World Service in Africa will be able to hear live radio commentary of that game, the group clash between Mali and Tanzania, both semi-finals and the nine-time champions Nigeria are also in action on the opening weekend, facing Tunisia in Group B, while holders South Africa begin the defence of their title against Ghana in Group C on Monday, 7 when are the other group fixtures? What is the format of the tournament? Where are matches being played and when do they kick off?BBC Sport Africa provides you with all the information ahead of the 13th edition of Africa's biggest women's footballing event. What are the groups? The 12 teams have been split into three groups of Morocco have a tough assignment in Group A, having been paired with a Zambia side which defeated them in qualification for the 2024 Olympic Atlas Lionesses will also face Senegal and DR Congo, the top-ranked side from pot draw was kinder to Nigeria, who are bidding for their first title since 2018 and remain Africa's top-ranked side at 36th in the Super Falcons will take on Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana - the lowest-ranked nations from each C sees holders South Africa take on Ghana and Mali, who are both back at the finals for the first time since 2018, and Tanzania, who are making just their second appearance following on from their debut in top two teams in each group and the two best-ranked third-placed teams will advance to the A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania. Wafcon 2024 schedule and kick-off times After the opening match, at least two games will be played each day during a group stage that runs until Monday, 14 are being held at 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00 (all times GMT) during the group stage, with the latter two kick-off times being used in the final two rounds of group games and the knockout stages, which begin on Friday, 18 July. Wafcon 2024 venues: Where is it being played? Morocco hosted the Wafcon finals three years ago, but none of the three venues used then will stage games this time North African nation is carrying out several redevelopment projects as it prepares to stage the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and co-host the 2030 Fifa World stadiums will be used in five host cities, with two in Stadium, Rabat (capacity 21,000)El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (capacity 15,000)Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (capacity 30,000)Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (capacity 10,000)Honneur Stadium, Oujda (capacity 19,800)Berkane Stadium, Berkane (capacity 15,000) Who are the favourites? Of the 12 nations competing in Morocco, only Nigeria and South Africa have previously lifted the Wafcon Super Falcons travel to the kingdom with a rich pedigree under homegrown coach Justin Nnadozie has been named as Africa's best goalkeeper for the past two years and forward Asisat Oshoala brings star quality and a winning Desiree Ellis looks to defend the trophy with a Banyana Banyana side who will be without forward Thembi Kgatlana because of personal Jermaine Seoposenwe has impressed for Monterrey in Mexico and Hilda Magaia, who shared the Wafcon golden boot in 2022, provide a cutting edge in front of has invested heavily in footballing infrastructure in recent years but its women's side are yet to emulate the success of the country's men in becoming the top team on the Atlas Lionesses have a Women's World Cup winner in the dugout in the shape of Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the title in finished third at the previous edition and boast the reigning Women's African Footballer of the Year in Barbra Banda, who was forced to miss out on the 2022 Orlando Pride striker forms a formidable partnership with Racheal Kundananji, with both forwards among the top four most expensive female players of all time. Swiss coach Nora Hauptle will mastermind the Copper Queens' bid after a spell in charge of will be a big ask for any of the other eight sides to mount a serious challenge for the title, with Ghana the only nation among them to appear in a final (1998, 2002 and 2006). Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 group fixtures All kick-off times 5 JulyGroup A: Morocco vs Zambia, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in AfricaSunday 6 JulyGroup A: Senegal vs Ivory Coast, El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (14:00)Group B: Nigeria vs Tunisia, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)Group B: Algeria vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Monday 7 JulyGroup C: South Africa vs Ghana, Honneur Stadium, Oujda (16:00)Group C: Mali vs Tanzania, Berkane Stadium, Berkane (19:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in AfricaWednesday 9 JulyGroup A: Zambia vs Senegal, Mohammedia (16:00)Group A: DR Congo vs Morocco, Rabat (19:00)Thursday 10 JulyGroup B: Botswana vs Nigeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)Group B: Tunisia vs Algeria, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Friday 11 JulyGroup C: Ghana vs Mali, Berkane (16:00)Group C: Tanzania vs South Africa, Oujda (19:00)Saturday 12 JulyGroup A: Morocco vs Senegal, Rabat (19:00)Group A: Zambia vs DR Congo, Mohammedia (19:00)Sunday 13 JulyGroup B: Nigeria vs Algeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Group B: Tunisia vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (19:00)Monday 14 JulyGroup C: South Africa vs Mali, Oujda (19:00)Group C: Ghana vs Tanzania, Berkane (19:00) Wafcon quarter-final fixtures Friday 18 JulyQF1: Group A Winner vs Group C/B 3rd Place, Rabat (19:00)QF2: Group B Winner vs Group A Second Place, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00)Saturday 19 JulyQF3: Group C Winner vs Group A/B 3rd Place, Oujda (19:00)QF4: Group B Second Place vs Group C Second Place, Berkane (16:00) Semi-finals Tuesday 22 JulySF1: Winner QF1 vs Winner QF4, Rabat (19:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in AfricaSF2: Winner QF2 vs Winner QF3, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (16:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa Third place play-off Friday 25 JulySF1 losers vs SF2 losers, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (19:00) Wafcon 2024 final Saturday 26 JulySF1 winners vs SF2 winners, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (20:00) - listen to live radio commentary on the BBC World Service in Africa
