2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final

Last updated
2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final
Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah.jpg
The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat hosted the final.
Event 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Morocco South Africa
Flag of Morocco.svgFlag of South Africa.svg
12
DateJuly 23, 2022
Venue Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Referee Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)
Attendance50,000
← 2018
2020
2024→

The 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final was the 14th final of the biennial African women's association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) contested between Morocco and South Africa at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on 23 July 2022.

Contents

The first final in the history of the competition to feature neither the 11-time winners and defending champions Nigeria nor 2-time host-nation winners Equatorial Guinea, South Africa claimed its inaugural title at the 6th attempt with a 2–1 win against host nation Morocco. Prior to this final, the men's national teams of Morocco and South Africa already faced each other in a qualification match for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations at the same stadium, which Morocco also won 2–1.

Background

The 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations was the 14th edition of the biennial African women's football tournament which ran from 2 to 23 July 2022 in Rabat and Marrakesh in Morocco, who became the tournament's first North African host nation. [1] [2]

The qualification process began on 18 October 2021 and concluded 23 February 2022, with 44 out of the 54 African nations vying for the 11 available group stage spots through matches played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The away goals rule was applied to leveled aggregate scores after the stipulated regulation time after the second leg, with no extra time and straight to penalty shoot-outs to determine the winner. [3] At a CAF executive meeting held on 21 November 2019 ahead of the final of the 2019 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations held the following day, there was an approval of an increase in group stage team participation than in the previous edition in 2018, with 12 teams divided into 3 groups of 4 than the previous 8 teams divided into 2 groups of 4, [4] [5] thus adding the quarter-finals at the knockout stages with the two best 3rd-placed teams joining the already-exiting top-2 teams in each group. These tournament changes would have come to effect at the supposed-to-be 14th edition in 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa led CAF to cancel it and rather approve the creation of CAF Women's Champions League which launched the following year, i.e. in 2021. [6] [7]

Venue

Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco in 2016. Complexe Sportif Prince Moulay Abdellah.jpg
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco in 2016.

The final was held at the 53,000-capacity multi-purpose Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital city of Rabat, which previously hosted the 2019 African Games and was one of two stadiums used for the 1988 African Cup of Nations along with the Casablanca-based high-infrastructure larger-capacity Mohammed V Stadium.

Road to the final

Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco RoundFlag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
OpponentsResultsGroup stageOpponentsResults
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 1–0 Match 1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 2–1
Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 3–1 Match 2Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 3–1
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 1–0 Match 3Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 1–0
Group A winners
PosTeam
PldPts
1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco (H)39
2Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 36
3Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 31
4Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 31
Source: CAF (archived)
(H) Hosts
Final standings Group C winners
PosTeam
PldPts
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 39
2Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 36
3Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 33
4Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 30
Source: CAF (archived)
OpponentsResults Knockout stage OpponentsResults
Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 2–1 Quarter-finalsFlag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 1–0
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 1–1 (a.e.t.; 5–4 p)Semi-finalsFlag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 1–0

Morocco

Having failed to qualify for any of previous WAFCON editions of since 2000, the country was awarded the hosting rights of the 2022 edition on 15 January 2021, effectively qualifying their women's national team automatically for the tournament, making Morocco the tournament's first North African host nation. [2]

Prior to its unveiling as the host nation, Morocco had only participated in two editions; in 1998 where they were heavily defeated by Nigeria at the quarter-finals and in the aforementioned 2000 edition where they finished bottom of their group scoring a single goal all tournament. As the host nation, Morocco got placed in Pot 1 and got seeded alongside women's continental powerhouse and then-defending champions Nigeria and Cameroon. They were drawn in Group A alongside Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda. [8] In a relatively easier group with a single tournament edition appearance between their group opponents and having successfully avoided 2018 edition participants, Zambia and South Africa, Morocco finished top of their the group with 3 wins from 3, scoring 5 goals and conceding just one. [9] [10] [11] In the knockout stages, Morocco won 2–1 against debutant minnows and tournament edition surprise package, Botswana, to qualify for the semi-finals and become the first country from North Africa and the Arab world to qualify for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. [12] Morocco reached another milestone by defeating 9-women then-defending champions Nigeria 5–4 on penalties following a 1–1 draw after an extended regulation time and becoming the first North African nation to reach a WAFCON final. [13]

South Africa

Touted as one of Africa's most traditional women's football teams, South Africa came into their 6th WAFCON final having lost 5 times previously, with the latest being the 2018 final loss on penalties to eventual champions Nigeria. South Africa entered the second stage of the qualification rounds with a 13–0 aggregate hammering of Mozambique and a 3–1 aggregate win over Algeria to qualify for the group stage, but was among the unseeded teams in its draw due to a poor FIFA ranking and found itself in Group C alongside 2018 conquerors Nigeria and two debutants, Burundi and Botswana. [14]

South Africa began the quest for the elusive first title win by exacting revenge on Nigeria and beat them 2–1, [15] 3–1 against Burundi and 1–0 against Botswana to top the group with perfect nine points. [16] [17] In the knockout stage, South Africa beat Tunisia 1–0 despite dominating the game to qualify for both the semi-finals and the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. [18] They then had to rely on a last-minute injury-time penalty to overcome the emerging African women's force Zambia 1–0 in the semi-finals to progress to its 6th and back-to-back final. [19]

Match

Details

Morocco  Flag of Morocco.svg1–2Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa
Ayane Soccerball shade.svg80' Report (FIFA)
Report (CAF) 		Magaia Soccerball shade.svg63', 71'
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat
Attendance: 50,000
Referee: Salima Mukansanga (Rwanda)

Kit left arm mar20h.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body mar20h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm mar20h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks mar20h.png
Kit socks long.svg
Morocco
Kit left arm rsa20a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body rsa20a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm rsa20a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
South Africa
GK1 Khadija Er-Rmichi
RB17 Hanane Aït El Haj
CB21 Yasmin Mrabet
CB5Nesryne El Chad
LB2 Zineb Redouani Sub off.svg 59'
RM18 Sanaâ Mssoudy Sub off.svg 76'
CM6 Élodie Nakkach Sub off.svg 76'
LM7 Ghizlane Chebbak (c)
CF20 Imane Saoud Sub off.svg 55'
CF23 Rosella Ayane
CF11 Fatima Tagnaout
Substitutions:
FW16 Samya Hassani Sub on.svg 55'
DF15 Ghizlane Chhiri Sub on.svg 59'
MF10 Najat Badri Sub on.svg 76'
FW9 Ibtissam Jraïdi Sub on.svg 76'
Manager:
Flag of France.svg Reynald Pedros
GK16 Andile Dlamini
RB2 Lebogang Ramalepe Yellow card.svg 35'
CB13 Bambanani Mbane
CB4 Noko Matlou
LB7 Karabo Dhlamini
RM9Noxolo Cesane
CM15 Refiloe Jane (c)
CM14 Nomvula Kgoale Sub off.svg 70'
LM10 Linda Motlhalo
AM8 Hildah Magaia Sub off.svg 83'
CF12 Jermaine Seoposenwe
Substitutions:
MF19 Kholosa Biyana Sub on.svg 70'
FW17 Melinda Kgadiete Sub on.svg 83'
Manager:
Desiree Ellis

Woman of the Match: Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco)

Assistant referees:

Fourth official:

Reserve assistant referee:

Video assistant referee:

Assistant video assistant referees:

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Maximum of three substitutions, with a fourth allowed in extra time.

Aftermath

Following the final and at the 6th attempt, South Africa became the 3rd country after Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea to win the title and join Nigeria as the only countries to have won both the male and female AFCONs despite the loss of talisman Thembi Kgatlana to injury. [20] [21]

The successful participation of Morocco as the host nation despite defeat was considered as a watershed moment for women's football in North Africa and the Arab world in general, as women have long suffered from gender discrimination and neglect by their various governments. Prior to the final, the country's incredible tournament form received widespread acclaim for becoming the first Arab country to qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup. [22] In addition, fan atmosphere and attendance in the final helped elevate the status of the Moroccan women's team. [23]

The final was attended by the presidents of CAF, South African Football Association (SAFA) and Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), Dr. Patrice Motsepe, Danny Jordaan and Fouzi Lekjaa respectively. Various African male and female legends also attended the final. For the female legends, there were four-time African Women's Footballer of the Year Perpetua Nkwocha and past winners including Mercy Akide (2001), Alberta Sackey (2002), Adjoa Bayor (2003), Genoveva Añonma (2012), Gaelle Enganamouit (2015) and Ajara Nchout Njoya. The male legends including Samuel Eto'o, Kalusha Bwalya, Lucas Radebe, Jay-Jay Okocha, Wael Gomaa, El Hadji Diouf and Emmanuel Adebayor were also in attendance. Following the final, Motsepe declared that the final "will change women's football forever". [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confederation of African Football</span> Governing body of association football in Africa

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is the administrative and controlling body for association football, beach soccer, and futsal in Africa. It was established on 8 February 1957 at the Grand Hotel in Khartoum, Sudan by the national football associations of: Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and South Africa. following formal discussions between the aforementioned associations at the FIFA Congress held on 7 June 1956 at Avenida Hotel in Lisbon, Portugal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morocco women's national football team</span> Womens national association football team representing Morocco

The Morocco women's national football team represents Morocco in international women's football and is managed by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation. The team played its first international match in 1998, as part of the third Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Nations Championship</span> African national team football tournament for homegrown players

The African Nations Championship, known for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship and commonly abbreviated as CHAN, is a biennial African association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 2009 and first announced in September 2007. The participating nations must consist of players playing in their national league competitions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U-23 Africa Cup of Nations</span> African qualification tournament for the Summer Olympics

The U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, known for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, or simply U-23 AFCON or U-23 CAN, is the quadrennial African football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its nations, consisting of players under 23 years of age, and was first held in 2011. It has been held every four years since its Inauguration. The top three nations qualify directly from every edition of this tournament for the football tournament of the Olympic Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">U-20 Africa Cup of Nations</span> African tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup

The U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, known for short as the U-20 AFCON and for sponsorship purposes as TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, previously known as the African Youth Championship and the African U-20 Championship, is the biennial international youth football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for its nations consisting of players under the age of 20. It serves as the African qualification tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's soccer in South Africa</span> Association football practiced by women in South Africa

Women's soccer began in South Africa during the 1960s and gained popularity in the 1990s, when the first national women's team was formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janine van Wyk</span> South African soccer player

Janine van Wyk is a former South African professional soccer defender and owner of JVW F.C., a club she founded and bears her name. Van Wyk was the captain of the South African women's national team, has the most international caps among African women's national teams with 185 and was the first South African ever to play in the U.S. National Women's Soccer League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desiree Ellis</span> South African soccer player and manager

Desiree Ellis is a South African soccer manager and former player. She currently coaches the South Africa women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andile Dlamini</span> South African soccer player

Andile ‘Sticks’ Dlamini is a South African soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for SAFA Women's League club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South Africa women's national team.

Lebogang Ester Ramalepe is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a defender for SAFA Women's League club Mamelodi Sundowns and the South Africa women's national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Women's Africa Cup of Nations</span> Biennial international womens football tournament in Africa

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), known for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations and formerly the African Women's Championship, is a biennial international women's football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) since 1998 as the qualification for the FIFA Women's World Cup for African nations. Initially started as a home-and-away qualification competition, it got rechristened as a biennial tournament in 1998 and took on its current name as of the 2016 edition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Linda Motlhalo</span> South African soccer player (born 1998)

Linda Maserame Motlhalo is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a winger for Racing Louisville and the South Africa women's national team. She is also known as the 'Randfontein Ronaldinho'.

Jermaine "Jay" Seoposenwe is a South African soccer player who plays as a forward for Mexican Liga MX Femenil club Monterrey and the South Africa women's national team.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as AFCON 2025 or CAN 2025, is scheduled to be the 35th edition of the biennial African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It will be hosted by Morocco for the second time and the first since 1988. Morocco was originally scheduled to host the 2015 edition, but withdrew due to fears stemming from the Western African Ebola virus epidemic.

The 2020 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, officially known as the 2020 Total Women's Africa Cup Of Nations for sponsorship purposes, was supposed to be the 14th edition of the biennial African women's association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This would have been the first edition to feature 12 teams at the group stages of the tournament as opposed to 8 from previous editions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations</span> 14th edition of the WAFCON

The 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, officially known as the 2022 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes, was the 14th edition of the biennial African international women's football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), hosted by Morocco from 2 to 23 July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hildah Magaia</span> South African soccer player (born 1994)

Hildah Tholakele Magaia is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League, on loan from Liga MX Femenil club Mazatlán, and the South Africa national team.

This article lists the squads for the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, the 14th edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, a biennial women's international football tournament for national teams in Africa, organised by the Confederation of African Football and held in Morocco from 2 to 23 July 2022. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, each national team registered a squad of 26 players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations</span> 14th edition of the WAFCON

The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, officially known as the 2024 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship purposes and as WAFCON 2024 for short, will be the 15th edition of the biennial African women's football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football. It will be hosted by Morocco in consecutive editions, having hosted the previous edition two years before.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, also referred to as AFCON 2027 or CAN 2027, is scheduled to be the 36th edition of the biennial African football tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It will be hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, in June and July 2027. For the first time, the tournament will take place in three countries.

References

  1. ↑ "Decisions of CAF Executive Committee – 15 January 2021". CAFOnline.com . 15 January 2021. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021. Morocco has been designated host of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
  2. 1 2 Toutate, Issam (28 February 2022). "Morocco to Host 2022 Women's TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations". Morocco World News. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  3. ↑ "Regulations of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations" (PDF). CAFOnline.com . 20 October 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  4. ↑ "CAF Holds Executive Committee Meeting ahead of CAN Total U-23 Final". CAFOnline.com . 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 22 November 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2022. New formats for youth and women's competitions based on 12 teams were approved.
  5. ↑ Ahmadu, Samuel (17 July 2019). "Caf expands African Women's Cup of Nations to 12 teams". Goal.com . Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  6. ↑ "Decisions of CAF Executive Meeting – 30 June 2020". CAFOnline.com . 30 June 2020. Archived from the original on 1 July 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2022. Due to challenging conditions, the 2020 edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations has been cancelled. Meanwhile, the CAF Women's Champions League will be launched in 2021.
  7. ↑ Ahmadu, Samuel (30 June 2022). "Caf cancels 2020 Africa Women's Cup of Nations, launches Women's Champions League". Goal.com . Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "WAFCON 2022: Morocco Drawn against Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda in Group A". Map News. 29 April 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  9. ↑ "Morocco 1-0 Burkina Faso: Atlas Lionesses win on return to WAFCON". Sports Gazette. 2 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  10. ↑ "Uganda 1-3 Morocco: Hosts qualify for first ever quarter-finals". Sports Gazette. 5 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  11. ↑ "Morocco finish top in WAFCON group after win over Senegal". CAFOnline.com . 8 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  12. ↑ "WAFCON 2022: Hosts Morocco beat Botswana to World Cup ticket, semi final slot". Premium Times Nigeria. 14 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "Dream Over! Morocco's Lionesses beat gallant 9-woman Super Falcons". Pulse Ghana. 19 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  14. ↑ Anthony, Janine (1 July 2022). "Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2022 - Group C preview". BBC Sport . Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  15. ↑ "Nigeria 1-2 South Africa: Bayana Bayana overcome Super Falcons in group opener". Premium Times. 4 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  16. ↑ "South Africa 3-1 Burundi: Wasteful Banyana qualify for quarter-finals". Sports Gazette. 7 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  17. ↑ Ditlhobolo, Austin (10 July 2022). "South Africa 1-0 Botswana: Lacklustre Banyana Banyana maintain Wafcon record". Goal.com . Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  18. ↑ "South Africa beat Tunisia to reach semis at Cup of Nations and spot at World Cup". RFI . 15 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  19. ↑ "Zambia v South Africa Match Report, 18/07/2022, Africa Women Cup of Nations". Goal.com . Retrieved 26 July 2022.
  20. ↑ "Magaia brace hands South Africa first TotalEnergies WAFCON trophy". CAFOnline.com . 23 July 2022. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  21. ↑ Vedan, Eshlin (23 July 2022). "Hildah Magaia's brace earns Banyana Banyana first ever Wafcon title". Independent Online . Durban . Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  22. ↑ "WAFCON 2022: Morocco women's football await historic final". The New Arab. 22 July 2022. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  23. ↑ "Morocco Loses Wafcon Final to South Africa". Morocco World News . Retrieved 23 July 2022.
  24. ↑ "WAFCON 2022 final will change women's football forever - CAF President Dr Motsepe". ModernGhana . 23 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.