Morocco Faces Challenging Group in Wafcon 2024 Draw

Tournament hosts Morocco have been allocated a potentially demanding group in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) draw. The Atlas Lionesses are set to compete against Zambia, DR Congo, and Senegal in Group A. Zambia, captained by Barbra Banda, secured a third-place finish at the 2022 Wafcon and qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics, notably ahead of Morocco, having defeated the North Africans across two legs in April for Olympic qualification. DR Congo and Zambia represent the highest-ranked teams from pots one and three, respectively, in the draw. Morocco’s team is led by coach Jorge Vilda, who guided Spain to the Women’s World Cup title in 2023. Elsewhere in the draw, defending champions South Africa have been placed in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania. Group B comprises Nigeria, who hold a record 11 continental titles, along with Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. The competition structure dictates that the top two teams from each group, in addition to the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. The tournament is scheduled to be held in Morocco from July 5-26 next year. Although qualification for the 2024 Wafcon concluded in December of last year, participating teams will have experienced an 18-month waiting period by the time the finals commence. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) was compelled to postpone the finals to 2025 due to a congested international football calendar, which included the Olympic participation of Nigeria and Zambia. Morocco previously hosted the 2022 Wafcon, where they finished as runners-up after South Africa defeated them 2-1 to claim the title. Former international Fatiha Laassiri expressed her belief that playing on home soil will offer “a real advantage” for Morocco next year. However, ex-Nigeria goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba identified Group A as particularly noteworthy, considering Senegal’s quarter-final exit on penalties in the previous edition and DR Congo’s return to the finals for the first time since 2012. Ayegba shared her perspective with BBC Sport Africa, stating, “Senegal played well in 2022 and I’m not going to be surprised if they play even better.” She added, “DR Congo are ready to showcase what they can bring to the table. I think Morocco and Zambia will have the upper hand but Senegal and DR Congo might disrupt things.” Ayegba also cautioned Nigeria against overconfidence, recalling that Botswana and Tunisia reached the quarter-finals two years prior. She commented, “Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana are going to give Nigeria a fight,” and concluded, “Anything is possible in Group B.” Meanwhile, South Africa’s goalkeeper Andile Dlamini affirmed that Banyana Banyana would be “not going to be cocky” as they prepare to defend their championship. The 32-year-old further remarked, “The top three countries (Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco) finished in the last 16 at the 2023 Women’s World Cup and anyone is capable of winning this tournament.” Dlamini concluded, “It depends on who excels on the specific day.” The groups are structured as follows, with world rankings indicated in brackets: Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102). Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153). Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).