Schedule
Knockout phase
New Trophy
Where to Watch
Group A
Morocco the host and runners up of the previous edition in 2022 retain many veterans who enter the tournament in good form particularly striker Ibtissam Jraïdi who scored 6 goals in 4 Morocco Preperation matches and remains a key player around fellow veterans Ghizlane Chebbak, Fatima Tagnaout and Sanaa Mssoudy to unlock defences. The host also look to Sakina Ouzraoui, Kenza Chapelle, Sarah Kassi to provide relatively youth spark. The defensive issues remains suspect particularly when stretched from deep and run at directly with pace, Hanane Ait El Haj, Zineb Redouaini, Sabah Seghir and Co set up well aiming to frustrate lying deep to combat this, once again the host will aim to be inspired by the home crowd and go very deep into the tournament though they do have a tricky group with a tough opening game against Zambia.
Zambia As we know possess a very powerful forward line on its day with pace to burn any defence particularly breaking from deep with Barbra Banda, Rachael Kundananji, Fridah Mukoma all in excellent club form with the likes of Grace Chanda being a key link to provide the forward line with the ammunition along with Prisca Chilufya, Kabange Mupopo. However the defence remains suspect regularly conceding at least 2 goals what is becoming the usual question how firm can they stay at the back particularly as the tournament advances to build on the third place of the last tournament in 2022.
Senegal League champions Aigles de la Médina provide 8 of the squad and enter the tournament confident having defeated Algeria 3-0 in a Preperation match. They will look to the likes of Korka Fall, Hapsatou Diallo, Mama Diop to pose the attacking threat with a defence led by the likes of Aissata Fall, Mareme Babou and a youth of Sagdiata Diallo looking to frustrate opposing midfield. Pitted in a tough group they will aim to surprise with strong teamwork.
RD Congo posses some good talents with the likes of Ruth Kipoyi, Merveille Kanjinga, Naomie Kabakaba who can pose a threat to all teams. RD come inspired by the performance of TP Mazembe in the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2024 emerging champions with now 4 of that particular squad remaining in the WNT. They are capable of setting up to frustrate looking to the likes of experienced Belange Vukuru, Aimeraude Mawanda to marshall the defence. Results leading to the tournament may not inspire but they prepare well and look to up the game they are capable of and like Senegal aim to surprise.
Group B
Nigeria the 9 time champions and big favourites to regain the title enter the tournament with a draw in Portugal and defeating Ghana. There is no doubt that the squad is the deepest quality with the level of league football played regularly and also element of surprises in the final list with the likes of Gift Monday ommitted. They will be led by Rasheedat Ajibade who is a huge danger in the tournament to all providing and goal scoring capabilities is the player other teams will look to annul. Nigeria also look to veterans Michelle Alozie, Francisca Ordega, Asisat Oshoala to unlock defences as the tournament progresses in which in recent times has struggled once in the Semi Final stages in fact it is 2016 a Nigeria player itself scored at this stage and beyond. In midfield they possess players who can disrupt the opposition in Christie Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun while Onyi Echegini can also provide vital passes and link up to the forward line. A pretty strong defense remains who proved at the fifa women’s world cup in 2023 they will be hard to break down. Maybe a lesson learned in the previous edition where they finished fourth and enter the tournament a determined voice they are here to win. Again teams will set up to frustrate as the tournament goes on.
Tunisia, Like host Morocco some very good technical players and a team effort to overcome lack of pace, they will look to the midfield link where the excellent Sabine Ellouzi provides a strong link to the forward line with the dangerous Mariam Houij. Ghada Ayadi will be another key player to provide a spark. The defensive aspect is pretty youthful and the experience of the likes of Chaima Allabassi to marshall the back line who will be severely tested.
Algeria aim to advance out of the group phase capable of very good technical football and in Ghouthia Karchouni possess a strong weapon to link the central line to the forward line and a dangerous shot from outside the box along with Lina Boussaha through to the likes of Naïma Bouhani. Coach Benstiti will have his troops well marshalled and look for the likes of Morgane Belkhiter and Marine Dafeur to perform to the level they can do and provide a solid spine to the team.
Botswana enter the tournament on a high and in the recent three nations tournament showed defensive capabilities frustrating both South Africa and Zambia holding the latter to a draw with solid tactical play which if they can keep up can be very capable of progressing from the group stage. Building on a stronger team effort in defense the likes of Lesego Radiakanyo , Laone Moloi, Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse are very capable of giving opposing defences issues. Strong team spirit and mentality is key to how they progress.
South Africa reigning champions of 2022 edition will be missing crucial player Thembi Kgatlana therefore will be looking to the likes of Jermaine Seopesenwe, Hildah Magaia, Adrielle Mibe to inspire the attack with Linda Mthalo, Gabriela Salgado, Noxolo Cesane, Bongeka Gamede, Nonhlanhla Mthandi Refiloe Jane providing among others a solid spine to the squad that usually rises to the tournament environment and look to put a solid defence of their title and put the off the pitch issues behind them once play begins.
Ghana possess very good talents it is coming together gelling as a unit and showing its potential. They will be lead by inform Doris Boaduwaa who possessed a high work rate for her club with the likes of Alice Kusi, Princella Adubea they are capable of posing a threat with Evelyn Badu, Stella Nyamekye adding prowess from the midfield. Jennifer Cudjoe is capable of providing solid DM displays to assist the defence with the talented Comfort Yeboah, experience of Ernestina Ambabila the squad list on paper has lots of potential to prove they can be a power again in the region and build on great efforts back home in the Women’s game. They are certainly one of the favourites to advance to the Quarter Final and with the draw aim for the final 4.
Mali, a strong forward line lead by Aissata Traoré, Agueissa Diarra, Oumou Kone capable of posing threat with strong running and pace. Saratou Traoré in fine Club form with Wuhan poses a additional threat from midfield along with Salamatu Diarra a solid season with RS Berkane. The concern will be as with alot of teams in the tournament how solid they can remain at the back and also to produce three solid performances as a team, Teninsoun Sissoko
will have a crucial role marshalling the defence. A tough group however to progress even to be one of the best third places but will be difficult opposition all the same.
Tanzania No doubt they possess some talents with Opah Clement, Clara Luvanga, Diana Lucas , Stumai Abdallah and great youth talent Winifrida Gerald but the team overall can be frail in midfield and defence and squander opportunities. Being in a very tough group it will take a huge team effort but there will be no shortage of effort and togetherness to aim to surprise and use the tournament to continue to build for the future.
CAF raised the prize money 100% to the tournament, the winners earning $1 million
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