WAFCON: Women’s football reaches new heights as Morocco 2024 kicks off

Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has commended the growing strength of women’s football across Africa, as the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024 kicked off in Rabat on Saturday night.

“Women’s football on the continent has reached world-class standards,” said Motsepe pointing to African women’s teams’ performances at the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as proof.

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The CAF president addressed the media ahead of the official opening of the tournament, saying “Football brings people together regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, or religion.”

He also commended Morocco’s ongoing contribution to African football development. “Morocco and the Moroccan people hold a special place in my heart and in the hearts of all 54 CAF member associations.”

The Atlas Lionesses kicked off the tournament against Zambia at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.

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Morocco will then face the Democratic Republic of Congo on July 9 at 8 p.m., followed by their final group match against Senegal on July 12.

Group B includes Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana, while Group C features South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.

The tournament features the continent’s best women’s football talent and demonstrates Africa’s growing influence in the global women’s game.