The Women’s African Cup of Nations has entered the knockout phase, with 8 teams left in the competition here’s how each team fared in their respective groups.
QF1: Ivory Coast vs Algeria August 8th 6pm BST
Ivory Coast:
Les Elephants topped their group on 7 points, starting out in style with an emphatic 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso. An early penalty from Rebecca Elloh and two goals from Inès Konan put the West African Nation 3-0 at halftime before N’sira Ouedraogo put the game to bed in the 60th minute.
Next up was a face off against South Africa, two goals from Grace Sery put the 2023 champions ahead at halftime but a resilient South African side would get one back in the 71st minute before equalising in the dying seconds.
Ivory Coast would be back to winning ways in their final group match against Tanzania; goals from N’sira Ouedraogo and Inès Konan would prove enough to secure all 3 points and put keep Ivory Coast top of the group.
Ivory Coast should be looking to get the ball to Inès Konan if they want to beat Algeria in the Quarter Final. With 3 goals in as many games the Strasbourg forward currently sits joint second in the golden boot race.
Algeria:
Algeria finished second in their group with a total of 6 points, only one point behind group winners Morocco. They started out their powerful campaign with a 2 – 0 win against Senegal, with Senegal conceding a penalty within the 42nd minute which Marine Dafeur, of Bristol city, converted for Algeria before Melissa Bethi finally finished off the game with her goal in the 88th minute.
During the second game against group winners, Algeria unfortunately fell short of a draw with Morrocco claiming all three points through Sanaa Mssoudys goal in the 84th minute. This win for Morrocco meant Algeria unfortunately had a lot of work to do in the final game and a lot of hoping Senegal would pull a win against a dominant Moroccan side.
Algeria finally found themselves back to winning ways in the final group stage game vs Kenya, with a strong 2-0 win with early group stage scorer Marine Dafeur bagging another one only 14 minutes into the game, before Lynda Bendris finished it off only 9 minutes later. This secured Algeria second in the group, despite the loss to Morrocco. A second place finish also secured them a Quarter final vs Ivory Coast.
QF2: Morocco vs South Africa August 8th 9pm BST
Morocco:
The Atlas Lionesses topped their group with 7 points after winning two matches and drawing one during the group stage.
Morocco kicked off their WAFCON campaign in style with a 4-0 victory over Kenya. Sakina Ouzraoui, Maryame Atiq and Ibtissam Jraidi, who scored twice, were all on the scoresheet in an impressive opening performance.
Their second match proved to be a tougher test. After battling for over 80 minutes to find the breakthrough, Sanaa Mssoudy finally scored the winning goal in the closing stages, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory and another clean sheet.
The Atlas Lionesses faced their toughest challenge in the final group stage match against Senegal. Despite a fiercely contested encounter, Morocco earned a valuable point with a determined draw, ensuring they finished top of the group.
With a strong team spirit and quality throughout the squad, Morocco are one of the most exciting teams to watch as the tournament progresses.
South Africa:
South Africa secured 4 points to finish in 2nd position in their group and progress to the knock-out stage after a dramatic group campaign.
Banyana Banyana began with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Tanzania. However, they responded with a comeback against Ivory Coast. Being down 2-0 until the 70th minute, a stunning strike from Thembi Kgatlana sparked the fightback before Hildah Magaia volleyed in a stoppage-time equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw.
In the final group stage match, South Africa kept a crucial clean sheet and claimed a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso, with Thembi Kgatlana once again scoring the much-needed goal. The win earned them the three points they needed to finish second in the group, one point clear of both the third- and fourth-placed teams.
With momentum on their side and Kgatlana in fine form, South Africa are certainly a team to keep an eye on.
QF3:
Cameroon vs Nigeria August 9th 6pm BST
Cameroon 2-1 Mali
The Indomitable Lionesses got their tournament off to the best start possible with a
2-1 win against Mali. A 14th minute goal from Cameroon’s Marie Ngah put
Cameroon in front but a 30th minute penalty from Aïssata Traore leveled the scoring
for Mali. Cameroon had 11 of their 18 shots in the second half of the game but the
score stayed deadlocked at 1-1 until a 73rd minute penalty from Marie Ngah broke
the deadlock and ultimately won Cameroon the game.
Cameroon 1-0 Ghana
A penalty from Marie Ngah in the 18th minute ended up being the difference in a
game with few notable highlights. The most notable of them would be a save from a
corner from Benfica’s Michealy Bihina. The win would make sure that Cameroon
qualified for the WAFCON Quarter-Finals but a positive result against WAFCON
debutants Cape Verde would potentially lead to them topping their group.
Cameroon 1-1 Cape Verde
Cameroon had some early opportunities that were thwarted by the Cape Verde
defence. In the 11th minute a shot from Cameroon’s number 12 Brunelle Beluou was
saved by the Cape Verde keeper Lara Silva; that chance was the highlight of the
early Cameroonian onslaught. Cameroon would finally break the door down through
a rocket from Grace Mendoua in the 28th minute. Cape Verde would equalise
through a goal of the tournament contender from Ivania Moreira, as she took the ball
down the right flank and wrapped her foot around the ball to put it into the far corner.
The draw wouldn’t be a big factor for Cameroon as they would finish top of Group D
anyway but for Cape Verde it would be their very first WAFCON point. Cameroon’s
reward for topping their group is Nigeria.
Cameroon’s One To Watch
Marie Ngah has been Cameroon’s star throughout the tournament with 3 goals in 3
games. If she can continue her stellar form through the knockout stages there is no
reason that the Indomitable Lions can’t beat Nigeria and seal a place in the semifinals and next year’s world cup.
Nigeria:
Nigeria 2-3 Malawi
The 10 time African Champions started their tournament with a shocking loss to
debutants Malawi. The Super Falcons were struggling to convert chances early on.
Malawi had a goal ruled out, but then the Chawinga sisters combined to score a
double that left Nigeria reeling. Malawi almost had a third goal but the opportunity to
put the game to bed wasn’t converted. Nigeria scored an Ajibade penalty to make
the score 2-1, but then in the final minutes Temwa Chawinga capitalised on
Nnadozie being off her line and chipped it over the Nigeria keepers head to make it
3-1. Nigeria would score a consolation through Uchenna Kanu but it was too late.
Nigeria 1-0 Zambia
In a match that was pivotal to the Super Falcons hopes of qualification, they would
get the first win of their tournament through an early 8th minute goal from Asisat
Oshoala. She would play the offside trap perfectly and ricochet the ball home. But
late into the first half Nigeria’s Oluwatosin Demehin would suffer a red card putting
Nigeria down to ten. Zambia’s Copper Queens and Barbra Banda would battle for
the draw but it wasn’t enough. Nigeria had won the game down a player and now
needed a win against Egypt and other results in their group to be favorable to qualify
for the knockouts.
Nigeria 6-2 Egypt
Nigeria would resoundingly beat Egypt in a game where they secured their
WAFCON Quarter-Final status. Asisat Oshoala converted the first of many penalties
in the match sending the keeper the wrong way. Oshoala then went off injured which
is a large concern for the Super Falcons. Rinsola Babajide assisted Gift Monday
from a well executed corner routine. Egypt’s Nadine Ghazy scored another penalty
just before the halftime break. Uchenna Kanu popped up with a goal with another
assist from Rinsola Babajide. Nigeria would then score another penalty through
Christy Uchiebe in the 81st minute. Nadine Ghazy would get a consolation goal to
make it 4-2. Rashida Adjibade would score and set up the final 2 goals as she
scored a penalty and then assisted Joy Omewa to make the scoreline 6-2 and
secure Nigeria’s safe passage to the Quarter-Finals of the competition where they will play Cameroon.
Nigeria’s One to Watch
Rinsola Babajide had two assists in their final group game which was her first game
of the competition. With more game time she could very easily be a game changer
for a Nigeria team that outside of the Egypt game has struggled on the attacking side of the ball.
QF4
Malawi vs Ghana August 9th 9pm BST
Ghana:
Ghana are through to the quarter-finals of WAFCON after securing four points during the group stage and beating Mali on goal difference.
Ghana 2 – 0 Cape Verde
In the first game of the tournament, Ghana went in as heavy favourites to beat Cape Verde in their WAFCON debut. The Black Queens took the lead early thanks to a long ball from Portia Boakye, which Doris Boaduwaa calmly chipped over the goalkeeper. Ghana continued to press relentlessly even after taking the lead. Just under 10 minutes into the second half, Eleia Vieria chested the ball down near the goal line and, despite her best efforts, she was unable to keep it from hitting the back of her own net. The game finished 2-0, with Cape Verde’s Diana Borges being sent off in injury time.
Ghana 0 – 1 Cameroon
Cameroon were Ghana’s opponents for match-day two. A handball in the box led to the Black Queens going a goal down early on via a well-taken penalty by Marie Ngah. The game was a closely contested affair, with both sides creating chances throughout. Ghana created some opportunities, but Cameroon’s defence proved incredibly difficult to break down. Evelyn Badu briefly thought she’d scored for Ghana, however the joy didn’t last too long as it was disallowed for offside in the build-up. Regardless of the result, there were certainly positives to take away from the performance going into the final game.
Mali 1 – 1 Ghana
Ghana’s final test of the group stage came against Mali; they only needed a draw to progress to the knockouts, while Mali needed to take all three points. Ghana opened the scoring with a cross that Evelyn Badu headed home. Mali equalised with a deflected free-kick in the second half. Badu was denied a second by VAR, which once again ruled offside in the build-up. The Black Queens put constant pressure on Mali and, despite being unlucky not to score a winner, they got the vital point to send them through to the quarter-finals.
A Player to Watch
A stand-out Ghanaian player would be captain Portia Boakye. The 37-year-old central defender plays her club football for TP Mazembe and brings a wealth of experience and quality to this side. She has played every minute of the group stage so far, registering an assist in the opening match. The Black Queens’ opponents in the quarter-finals will be Malawi on August 9th and, with the star power they have in forward areas, Boakye could play a crucial role in the outcome of the tie.
Malawi:
Malawi had a flying group stage of WAFCON, despite them being debutants of the tournament. Their first hurdle in the group stage was WAFCON champions, Nigeria. despite the pressure, Malawi knew better than to crack and held a draw till the 72nd minute before Temwa Chawinga put the debutants ahead before her sister Tabitha Chawinga doubled Malawi’s lead. Unfortunately, despite an amazing defensive performance, they conceded a penalty in the 92nd minute which Ajibade converted. Malawi didn’t let that deplete their spirts though with Temwa Chawinga bagging another one for Malawi in the 95th minute before Nigeria pulled one back through substitute Kanu. Despite such a strong performance from the holders, Malawi gained all three points, putting them in prime position.
The winning streak continued for Malawi in the second group game with a 3-1 win against Egypt. Malawi opened the scoring in the 35th minute through Rose Kadzere before finishing off the half by doubling their lad through Faith Chinzimu. Malawi were then hit by a red card to their Defender Rose Alufandika after she committed a Last Man Challenge, but they persevered and created a 3-0 lead through Temwa Chawinga, before Egypt gained one back 3 minutes later. Malawi then had the change to go 3 ahead again through a penalty but it was later cancelled by VAR. This then left Malawi in prime spot being the only team in the group sitting on 6 points.
Despite such a strong start, they finally were handed a defeat in the last group game vs Zambia. the game started off disappointing for Malawi, conceding a goal in the 2nd minute, scored by Barbra Banda. Malawi then made an early substitution but unfortunately it made manual impact with Zambia scoring a second only 12 minutes later. Malawi did try and fight back and did eventually find a goal in the 72nd minute through Tabitha Chawinga, but unfortunately it was too late make an impact to the final score. Although this wasn’t a great end to the group stage, the earlier win vs Nigeria put them top of the group heading into the Quarter finals where they will face Ghana.
In new and exciting news Channel 4 have announced they will be airing all WAFCON Knockouts for free, starting with Ivory Coast vs Algeria on August 8th at 6pm BST. Be sure to tune in and catch all the action.
