As the world marks another #InternationalWomensDay, Zambia forward Barbra Banda is thrilled with the progress being made with women’s football in Africa, Afrosport reports.
Recent adjustments by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has seen the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) expanded from eight to 12 teams.
The CAF Women’s Champions League has also had four editions since 2021 with three different winners from North Africa (AS FAR) and Sun-Saharan Africa (Mamelodi Sundowns and TP Mazembe).
Speaking to the CAF website for #InternationalWomensDay, Banda, believes the women’s game is finally getting the respect it deserves.
“The future of women’s football is very promising. It is slowly getting the respect it deserves and people are now noticing the amazing talent and are going to games to support,” she said.
“Seeing my sisters from Malawi, South Africa, Nigeria, Morocco, Ghana, Tanzania and so on going out there and showcasing their talent and putting the world on notice is something that warms my heart. It really shows that the continent has a lot of talent and is headed for greatness as far as women’s football is concerned.”
The Orlando Pride forward added: “We have seen the competition, it’s not easy to play most teams and, of course, we have seen players making records out there and doing really well across the globe from the continent, which is amazing to see.
“It has developed well, we are on the right track. We just need more and more investment.”
She is here. She is unstoppable.
𝗦𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥. 🌟#InternationalWomensDay | #BornWinners pic.twitter.com/X57bYtYXSI— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) March 8, 2025
Meanwhile, South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis, in her wish for #InternationalWomensDay, wants to see more competitions for women’s football, particularly in the youth categories.
“More competitions, especially for the youth, are needed because they only have qualifying competitions played on a knockout basis, where they play home and away, rather than in a tournament,” she stated.
“And then when you have countries that withdraw, it means some teams don’t play any games until they get up to the final stages. And then they have not prepared properly. With more tournaments, that will really improve football on the continent even more.”
The African continent will be preparing to grace the 2024 WAFCON tournament taking place in Morocco from July 5 to 26
