Linda Motlhalo & the Africa Cup of Nations
The big major tournament summer is right around the corner. As Linda Motlhalo prepares to star for one of the favourites in Morocco, we have brought in an expert to tell you all about it.
It is an international tournament summer once again and while the greatest country on Earth Scotland may not be present, one SWPL star is looking for glory in Rabat. We reached out to African football expert, Mohamed Barrie, to give us the rundown on her chances and the competition to look out for.
The 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is set to kick off in Morocco from July 5–26, 2025. While it's labelled as the 2024 edition, the tournament was pushed to 2025 to avoid a clash with the Paris Olympics. It will be one of three major continental women’s tournaments happening this summer, alongside the Women’s Euros and Copa América Femenina.
The newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat will be the tournament’s crown jewel, hosting both the July 5th, Zambia vs Morocco opening, match and the final on July 26th. Morocco, a football-crazy nation, is more than happy to showcase their hosting prowess as they prepare for the 2030 Men's World Cup.
The tournament follows a standard format. Three groups have been drawn, with the winners and runners-up progressing. The two best ranked third places teams will also join them to make it a quarter final stage. There’s more than just continental glory on the line as World Cup qualification is also on offer for the semi-finalists.
The Groups
Group A
Morocco (hosts, runners-up in 2022)
Zambia (3rd place in 2022)
Senegal
DR Congo
The tournament opens with the hosts, Morocco, and continental powerhouse Zambia in a headline clash. These two sides have faced off consistently since 2022, and their rivalry has continued to intensify. In a conversation with Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji, both echoed the excitement and tension the match up brings, calling it a 50-50 game.
Group B
Nigeria (9-time champions)
Tunisia
Algeria
Botswana
Group C
South Africa (defending champions)
Ghana
Mali
Tanzania
Can Motlhalo’s Banyana Banyana retain their crown?
South Africa, the 2022 WAFCON champions, are heading to Morocco with confidence and experience. Led by legendary coach Dr. Desiree Ellis since 2016, Banyana Banyana remains a well-oiled machine. Their recent victories over Zambia and Botswana in the Three Nations Challenge reaffirmed their dominance.
South Africa's ability to shut out Zambia's lethal duo of Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda was especially impressive. As Ellis put it:
"We stuck to the game plan, denied them space, and moved the ball quickly. We pressed them when they had the ball. That’s something we’ve worked on. There’s still a lot of work to do, but today was a true team effort.”
This tournament sees a generational transition, with the experience of Thembi Kgatlana (83 caps), Noko Matlou (174 caps), and Nomvula Kgoale (21 caps) missing from the squad. In their absence, leadership will fall to the likes of 2022 goalkeeper of the tournament, Andile Dlamini, defender Bambanani Mbane, and captain Refiloe Jane (a former teammate of both Christy Grimshaw and Lana Clelland).
This squad is a mix of South Africa based players, including some who are also current students at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where they are coached by Banyana assistant Thinasonke Mbuli, and international players. Eight of the squad playing regularly for Mamelodi Sundowns, one of the powerhouses of African club football. Five play their club football for JVW, owned and managed by former Glasgow City defender (and South Africa legend) Janine van Wyk.
Offensive spark will come from Lindah Magaia, the 2022 top scorer, and Glasgow City’s Linda Motlhalo who operates as a creative force from wide areas for South Africa. Her role, depending on the setup up ranges from progression of the ball via the wing as South Africa does play with great intention to play fast via the wings and slower build-ups centrally.
Their style - a mix of high pressing, quick transitions, and confident possession play - makes them not just hard to beat, but thrilling to watch. With a relatively manageable group (Tanzania, Mali, and Ghana), South Africa’s chances of defending their crown are high.
The Competition
Nigeria – The Standard Setters
Nine-time champions Nigeria are always contenders, having dominated early editions of WAFCON thanks to a strong domestic league and consistent investment in women’s football. However, their fourth-place finish in 2022 was seen as a major disappointment and a forecast of how other nations in Africa have upped their investment and talent pool.
This year’s squad is filled with talent, but key questions remain. The exclusion of in-form striker Gift Monday (of the NWSL, and Kang empire, Washington Spirit) from the final roster raises eyebrows. Instead, the team will rely on Asisat Oshoala, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Rasheedat Ajibade for goals.
Between the posts African and Première Ligue goalkeeper of the year, Chiamaka Nnadozie, adds world-class stability. In front of her, Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie bring balance with defensive grit and attacking flair.
Nigeria is still among the top contenders, but questions linger: where will the goals consistently come from? And, can they keep possession against sides like Morocco and South Africa? Teams that have a stronger midfield and can match Nigeria’s counter-attacking pace.
Morocco – The Rising Giants
Morocco has emerged as one of the most exciting projects in global women’s football. Backed by major investments in youth development, infrastructure, and professional training environments, the Atlas Lionesses are on a mission.
In 2022, they reached the final as hosts but fell short against South Africa. This year, under new head coach Jorge Vilda (former Spain head coach), they’ll be looking to finish the job.
The squad boasts a mix of domestic stars - Sanaa Mssoudy, Fatima Tagnaout, Khadija Er-Rmichi, Nouhaila Benzina (all of AS FAR) - and international talent, including Ghizlane Chebbak, Sakina Ouzraoui, and Imane Saoud.
Their game is built around possession and dynamic wing play. Ouzraoui, Mssoudy, and Tagnaout’s dribbling ability creates space for finishers like Chebbak and Ibtissam Jraidi.
Notable absentees include breakout star Doha El Madani, who misses out through injury, and 2022 hero (and part Scottish) Rosella Ayane, who is currently struggling for form. Still, Morocco’s mix of local energy and diaspora flair makes them a serious threat, especially with the home crowd behind them.
Zambia – The Copper Queens’ Moment?
During the 2022 WAFCON Zambia excelled under the guidance of Grace Chanda in midfield, pulling strings and bossing the field with her intelligence and dynamic presence. Without Barbra Banda, the Zambians made it into the semi-finals, losing to South Africa.
This time around, the team will be led by superstar forwards Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda. Banda is a force to reckon within women's football, recording the fastest ever NWSL hat trick, becoming the first woman to score more than one hat trick at an Olympic Games, and becoming the first player from Africa to be included in the FIFPRO World 11.
Her brilliance is supported by Kundananji, who is the second-highest transfer ever paid in the women's game. Both Kundananji and Banda are forwards who chase and press all game, combined with goalscoring prowess.
The big hurdle for them, Nora Häuptle was only appointed as their new coach in January. Given the limited time she has spent with her team, the question is whether they will be able to set up adequately? In conversation with Kundananji, she stressed how prepared coach Hauptle came into the squad, knowing players and their strengths, but also with a plan she hopes they can enact, an encouraging sign.
You can watch the tournament live on CAF’s YouTube channel here.
You can also learn more about the competition from Mohamed on their Substack, or on their YouTube channel linked below.
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Thanks for having me lads 🙏🏿