After months of waiting, the much-anticipated 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to commence in Morocco on Saturday.
The 2022 tournament in the same country was nothing short of spectacular and the upcoming edition will certainly bring more thrill and excitement.
Afrosport runs through the three teams in Group B, the 12 participating teams, their tournament record, form going into the competition. There’s also a look at which player stands out for each team and a prediction of the teams that will go through to the knockout phase.
Morocco (Atlas Lionesses)
WAFCON history
The Atlas Lionesses are tournament hosts for the second year in a row and come into the 2024 edition as runners up from the previous competition.
It was their best outing in what was just their third appearance in the competition and will hope to make home advantage count once again by going for ultimate glory.
Recent form
The Moroccan ladies head into WAFCON tournament in superb form, losing only one match out of eight in 2025, a 1-0 friendly loss to Cameroon, while they have recorded six wins, beating the likes of WAFCON participants Ghana (1-0), Tunisia (3-1) and Tanzania (4-0)
Standout player
Ghizlane Chebbak has been at the heart of the Moroccan women’s team since making her debut in 2007. She has gone on to be the most influential player as captain and the most capped player in the team with over 80 caps.
She finished as joint top scorer at the previous WAFCON in 2022 and will be eager to score more in the quest for to win the title on home soil.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Khadija Errmichi (AS FAR), Ines Arouaissa (Saint Mal, Switzerland), Fatima Ezzahra El Jabraoui (Wydad Casablanca), Hind Hasnaoui (AS FAR).
Defenders: Hanane Ait Elhaj (Valencia, Spain), Zineb Redouani (AS FAR), Sabah Seghir (FC Bale, Switzerland), Aziza Rebbah (AS FAR), Nouhaila Benzina (AS FAR), Siham Boukhami (AS FAR), Yasmin Katie Mrabet (Valencia, Spain), Soumia Hady (Wydad Casablanca).
Midfielders: Ghizlane Chebbak (Levante Las Planas, Spain), Najat Badri (AS FAR), Elodie Nakkach (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Salma Bouguerch (Wydad Casablanca), Anissa Lahmari (Levante, Spain), Sarah Kassi (Fleury, France), Imene El Ghazouani (Servette, Switzerland), Sanaa Mssoudy (AS FAR).
Forwards: Fatima Tagnaout (AS FAR), Sakina Ouzraoui Diki (Costa Adeje Tenerife, Spain), Rania Boutiebi (YLA Brugge, Belgium), Imane Saoud (Unattached), Ibtissam Jraidi (Al Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Kenza Chapelle (Strasbourg, France).
Senegal (Teranga Lionesses)
WAFCON history
This is only the third-ever WAFCON outing for the Teranga Lioness having nd reached the quarter-finals in the previous edition when they lost to Zambia on penalties.
Their only other participation was in 2012 but they crashed out in the group stage, finishing last in Group A behind Equatorial Guinea, South Africa and DR Congo, and will hope to make a better impression.
Recent form
The Senegalese ladies have had decent form in 2025, winning five out of eight fixtures. The bulk of it came in the WAFU Zone A Cup where they reached the final in Mauritania but lost 1-0 to Sierra Leone.
Their other defeat was a 1-0 loss friendly loss to Ghana in April while they defeated Algeria 3-0 in a WAFCON warm-up friendly in Algiers to give them a good shot at performing well in Group A.
Standout player
Senegal will look towards Nguenar Ndiaye for a good outing in Morocco. The 30-year-old is the country’s all-time top scorer with 24 goals in 44 caps having made her debut in 2019. She has scored against big opposition such as Morocco, Zambia, and against Algeria in their most recent win.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Adji Ndiaye (AS Bambey), Khady Faye (Aigles de la Medina), Tening Sene (Jappo Olympique de Guediawaye).
Defenders: Anta Dembele (Aigles de la Medina), Meta Kande (Aigles de la Medina), Meta Camara (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Adama Sane (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Aissatou Fall (Kaolack FC), Maty Cissokho (Aigles de la Medina), Mareme Babou (Strasbourg, France), Wolimata Ndiaye (Thonon Evian, France).
Midfielders: Safietou Sagna (US Saint Malo, France), Binta Korkel Seck (Aigles de la Medina), Fatoumata Drame (Aigles de la Medina), Sadigatou Diallo (Aigles de la Medina), Korka Fall (SM Caen, France), Awa Diakhate (Marseille, France), Dieynaba Ndaw (University Of Miami, USA).
Forwards: Haby Balde (ES Poitiers Trois Cites, France), Pascaline F Bassene (CD Argual, Spain), Hapsatou M Diallo (Galatasaray, Turkey), Ndeye Awa Casset (Aigles de la Medina), Nguenar Ndiaye (Bourges 18, France), Mama Diop (Marseille).
DR Congo (Leopardesses)
WAFCON history
The Leopardesses are participating in WAFCON for only the fourth time in the history and for the first time since 2012 when they went out of the group stage.
Their best performance was at their maiden outing in 1998 when they finished third, defeating Cameroon 3-1 on penalties in Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria. Their next outing would come in 2006 in Nigeria but they were knocked out of the group stage.
Recent form
The Congolese ladies have not been in great from in 2025, with only one win to their name, which was a 2-0 victory over Botswana in the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers first leg followed by a goalless draw in the return leg.
Their preparations for WAFCON 2024 have however not been ideal, losing twice to Tanzania and once to Algeria. They will certainly have it all to do in the tournament proper if they are to avoid an early exit.
Standout player
Any hopes of the Congolese avoiding being heavily beaten will depend on the heroics of goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy. The 34-year-old was part of the successful TP Mazembe team that lifted the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League last year.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Fideline Ngoy (TP Mazembe), Ruth Khonde (AC La Colombe, Congo-Brazzaville), Djanae Longo (Cannes, France).
Defenders: Belange Vukulu (TP Mazembe), Aimeraude Mawanda (TP Mazembe), Danny Ngoyi (Simba Queens, Tanzania), Exaucee Kizinga (RC Roubaix Wervicq, France), Kristal Iyombe (Monaco, France), Naomi Kambala (Cannes, France), Esther Siluvangi (Le Mans, France).
Midfielders: Benie Kubiena (Shanghai RCB, China), Marlene Kasaj (TP Mazembe), Sarah Yasongamo (Antalyaspor, Turkey), Falonne Pambani (Al Shabab, Saudi Arabia), Ruth Bulala (Sarcelles, France), Eva Sumo (Nantes, France), Esther Buabadi (Feyenoord, Netherlands), Dorcas Vangu (Wydad Casablanca, Morocco), Grâce Mfwamba (Al-Taraji, Saudi Arabia), Francesca Lueya (Zulte Waregem, Belgium).
Forwards: Naomie Kaba-Kaba (Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia), Esther Dikisha (FA Msichana), Gloria Mabomba (Auxerre, France), Ruth Kipoyi (Al-Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Deborah Ngalula (ESOF La Roche-sur-Yon, France), Anastasia Soulac (Nice, France), Merveille Kanjinga (Paris St-Germain, France), Olga Massombo (Mazatlan FC, Mexico), Flavine Mawete Djurgarden IF, Sweden), Joy Kimwemwe (Cincinnati Bearcats, USA).
Zambia (Copper Queens)
WAFCON history
The Copper Queens are appearing in their third consecutive WAFCON tournament and fourth overall. They finished third in the 2022 edition, defeating heavyweights Nigeria to the bronze medal.
This is a sign they can slug it out with the continent’s big guns and will be looking to do it once again in Morocco.
Recent form
Zambia’s form has not been great going into the WAFCON 2024 tournament, with just two wins out of six games this year. They defeated Malawi in a friendly in February before defeating Uzbekistan 4-3 at the Yongchuan International Tournament in China in April.
They however failed to win their warm up games, drawing 1-1 with Botswana before losing 2-0 to South Africa
Standout player
Barbra Banda is without a doubt the star of the Zambia team and be tasked with leading the attack. She heads to the tournament in top form with Orlando Pride in the NWSL in the United States where she is the reigning MVP, league champion and top scorer from the previous season with 17 goals in 25 games.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Mwila Chishala Mufunte, Ngambo Musole, Catherine Musonda.
Defenders: Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba, Margaret Belemu, Pauline Zulu, Memory Nthala, Esther Siamfuko, Mapalo Maluba.
Midfieldser: Ireen Lungu, Xiomara Mapepa, Racheal Nachula, Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya, Evarine Susan Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe, Rhoda Chileshe, Mercy Chipasula, Mary Wilombe.
Forwards: Barbra Banda, Fridah Mukoma, Kabange Mupopo, Racheal Kundananji.
Group prediction: Morocco and Zambia to progress to knockout phase.
Full match schedule for Group A (All kick-off times are in WAT)
Saturday 5 July
Group A: Morocco vs Zambia, Olympic Stadium, Rabat (21:00)
Sunday 6 July
Group A: Senegal vs Ivory Coast, El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia (15:00)
Wednesday 9 July
Group A: Zambia vs Senegal, Mohammedia (17:00)
Group A: DR Congo vs Morocco, Rabat (20:00)
Saturday 12 July
Group A: Morocco vs Senegal, Rabat (20:00)
Group A: Zambia vs DR Congo, Mohammedia (20:00)
