In their hunt for a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, Nigeria’s Super Falcons will have to weather a tricky storm in Group B.
The group also consists of Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, who are all looking to upstage Africa’s top-ranked side, Nigeria. All the group matches will be played across two venues in Casablanca, and each team comes into the tournament with its own ambitions, history, and hunger for success.
The Super Falcons enter Morocco as the competition’s most successful side but have been devoid of the trophy since 2018, finishing fourth last time out in 2022.
Tunisia comes into this WAFCON ranked 11th on the continent, Algeria sits a spot ahead in 10th, while Botswana checks in as the lowest-ranked nation in the group, occupying the 32nd spot in Africa.
As action kicks off in Group B on Sunday, 6 July, with each team determined to make their own mark on the tournament, Afrosport dissects the group with a focus on tournament history, schedule, player focus, and team form.
Nigeria (Super Falcons)
WAFCON history
The Super Falcons are the only side to have been present in every single edition of the WAFCON and will be making their 15th appearance in Morocco.
Nigeria first appeared at the tournament in 1998 when the WAFCON became full scale but had won two titles prior in 1991 and 1995, a period it was competed for by four and six teams, respectively.
The Super Falcons won the first five editions and have since established themselves as Africa’s leading powerhouse in women’s football.
Recent form
The nine-time African champions secured a place in this year’s edition after claiming a 7-1 win over Cape Verde in the second round of qualification in December 2023.
Justine Madugu’s side are in prime form entering the WAFCON 2024, having suffered just one defeat in their last 14 games. They have won nine times in that stretch, including a 3-1 win against Ghana in their final pre-tournament friendly.
Standout player
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade is one to keep a close eye on, as her prolific nature in front of goal was on display in the last edition in 2022, where she finished as joint-top scorer with three goals.
She scored seven goals and provided three assists in 22 matches for Spanish side Atletico Madrid in Liga F this past season. The 25-year-old heads into her second WAFCON in blistering form, having netted six goals in her last seven matches for the Super Falcons.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France), Tochukwu Oluehi (Shulalat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia), Udoka Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA), Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey), Ashleigh Plumptre (Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Shukurat Oladipo (Roma, Italy), Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons), Miracle Usani (Edo Queens).
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Halimatu Ayinde (Rosengard, Sweden), Toni Payne (Everton, England), Jennifer Echegini (Paris St-Germain, France), Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity FC, USA), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica, Portugal).
Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA), Francisca Ordega (Al-Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Chiwendu Veronica Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico), Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier, France), Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada), Rinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife, Spain), Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang, China), Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA).
Tunisia (Carthage Eagles)
WAFCON history
This marks Tunisia’s third WAFCON outing, and the Carthage Eagles will be making back-to-back appearances in the tournament for the first time.
The North Africans earned their maiden appearance in 2008 in Equatorial Guinea, where they also faced Nigeria in the group stage. They qualified for this year’s edition by beating Congo 5-3 on aggregate in the second round of qualifying.
In their previous two appearances, Tunisia made it out of the group stage once—last time out in Morocco in 2022, progressing through as one of the two third-best-placed teams.
Recent form
They are currently not in the best of form, having won three and lost five of their last 10 games. However, the Carthage Eagles claimed a 4-2 win over Morocco B in their most recent game in April.
Standout player
Mariem Houij is Tunisia’s all-time leading scorer with over 25 goals in her international career. She scored their first goal at the last edition of the WAFCON and will be looking to fire the Carthage Eagles through to the next round.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Soulayma Jobrani, Zahra Jlassi, Manel Ben Mohamed.
Defenders: Chayma Abbassi, Rania Aouina, Samia Ouni, Ghada Ayadi, Mariem Barhoumi, Nourhene Battoumi, Myriam Bayahia, Yasmin Khanchouch.
Midfielders: Chirine Lamti, Yosra Belhaj, Salma Marzouki, Sarah Ben Mbarek, Wided Mejri, Sabah Shaiekh, Yasmine Khemila.
Forwards: Sana Garmazi, Salma Zemzem, Mariem Houij, Sabrine Ellouzi, Nora Nouhaili, Amani Ayed.
Algeria (Green Ladies)
WAFCON history
For Algeria, this will be a sixth appearance at the WAFCON, and the Green Ladies are yet to make it past the group stage.
They made their tournament debut in 2004 in South Africa, and have been drawn in the same group with the Super Falcons for the third time, losing the last two meetings in the tournament by a 10-0 aggregate.
Recent form
The Green Ladies cruised past Burundi 5-1 in the final stage of qualifying to book a place in Morocco. They have enjoyed continued success on the field, with five wins in their last six matches and nine in their last 15.
Standout player
39-year-old Naima Bouhani has been a force to reckon with in the Algeria women’s team setup, holding the record for most goals scored. The veteran forward has notched 36 international goals in over 60 caps, and her leadership would be important if they are to progress from the group.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Lamia Lounas, Chloe N’Gazi, Amina Haleyi.
Defenders: Sofia Guellati, Roselene Khezami, Ouassila Alouache, Morgane Belkhiter, Hanna Boubezari, Morgane Ikene, Ines Belloumou, Imane Chebel, Lea Abadou.
Midfielders: Melinne D’Oria, Melissa Bethi, Wissem Bouzid, Ghoutia Karchouni, Lina Khelif, Amira Ould Braham, Marine Dafeur, Emma Smaali.
Forwards: Lina Boussaha, Laura Taleb Muller, Nouhed Naili, Ines Boutaleb, Naima Bouhani, Aicha Hamideche.
Botswana (Mares)
WAFCON history
Botswana, the lowest-ranked team in the group, is making just its second WAFCON appearance, having debuted in the last edition in 2022.
The Mares made it out of the group in their maiden WAFCON appearance, picking up one of the two available slots as the best third-placed team. They also played the Super Falcons last time out in Morocco, losing 2-0.
Recent form
Botswana beat Kenya 2-1 in the qualifying rounds to reach this edition of the tournament. They come into Morocco with a record of two wins, four draws, and four losses in their last 10 matches and are currently on a four-game winless run.
Standout player
Laone Moloi is expected to provide all the answers for Botswana as they look to surpass their performance from the last edition. The 24-year-old midfielder has been the key cog in the team, providing balance and creating goals.
Full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Sedilame Maitumelo Bosija (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Tlamelo Pheresi (Gaborone United), Lesego Moeng (TS Galaxy, South Africa).
Defenders: Masego Montsho (Security Systems), Mokgabo Thanda (Great Buffaloes), Lone Gaofetoge, (Amedspor, Turkey), Kesegofetse Mochawe (Gaborone United), Veronicah Mogotsi (Double Action), Boitumelo Gammu (FC Ongos).
Midfielders: Nancy Baeletsi (Gaborone United), Laone Moloi (Double Action), Tshegofatso Mosotho (Mazotie FC), Obonetse Rathari (Gaborone United), Golebaone Selebatso (Gaborone United), Esalenna Galekhutle (William Carey, USA), Leungo Senwelo (Mazotie FC).
Forwards: Balotlhanyi Johannes (Double Action), Lesego Radiakanyo (Gaborone United), Jessica Maponga (Gaborone United), Keitumetse Dithebe (Ankara BB Fomget, Turkey), Nondi Mahlasela (Prisons XI), Michelle Abueng (BDF XI), Yaone Modise (Gaborone United), Gaonyadiwe Ontlametse (Gaborone United), Refilwe Tholakele (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Peggy Manewe (Double Action).
Group Prediction
The Super Falcons boast a commanding record against the remaining three teams in Group B. They are expected to finish atop the group and progress to the next round.
Algeria’s Green Ladies are tipped to finish second due to their recent form and goal-scoring prowess.
Meanwhile, following their performance in the last edition, where they showed a lot of defensive resilience, Botswana should claim the third spot, while Tunisia finishes bottom of the group.
Full match schedule for Group B (All kick-off times are in WAT)
Sunday 6 July
Group B: Nigeria vs Tunisia, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (17:00)
Group B: Algeria vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (20:00)
Thursday 10 July
Group B: Botswana vs Nigeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (17:00)
Group B: Tunisia vs Algeria, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (20:00)
Sunday 13 July
Group B: Nigeria vs Algeria, Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca (20:00)
Group B: Tunisia vs Botswana, Pere Jego Stadium, Casablanca (20:00)
