فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
The Africa Women Cup of Nations 2024 kicks off today, Saturday, July 5, 2025, with Morocco hosting the tournament for the second consecutive time, from July 5 to 26, 2025. This is the 15th edition organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), featuring 12 African national teams divided into three groups competing for the title and a chance to qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Matches will be held across five Moroccan cities: Rabat, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Oujda, and Berkane, reflecting Morocco’s commitment to developing sports infrastructure.
Opening Match
The tournament opens with a highly anticipated match between the host nation Morocco and Zambia at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat at 9:00 PM local time (GMT+1). A large crowd is expected as Morocco aims for a strong start in front of its home fans, building on its impressive performance in the previous 2022 edition where it reached the final. Zambia is considered a strong contender, especially with standout players like Barbara Banda.
Group Stage Match Schedule – First Round
The Confederation of African Football has announced the schedule for the first round of group stage matches, comprising six games over three days as follows:
| Date | Match | Time (GMT+1) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 5, 2025 | Morocco vs Zambia | 21:00 | Olympic Stadium, Rabat |
| July 6, 2025 | Senegal vs DR Congo | 15:00 | El Bachir Stadium, Mohammedia |
| July 6, 2025 | Nigeria vs Tunisia | 17:00 | To be confirmed |
| July 6, 2025 | Algeria vs Botswana | 20:00 | To be confirmed |
| July 7, 2025 | South Africa vs Ghana | 17:00 | Al Sharaf Stadium, Oujda |
| July 7, 2025 | Mali vs Tanzania | 20:00 | Berkane Stadium |
Group Distribution
The 12 teams are divided into three groups based on the FIFA rankings of August 2024, following the draw held at the Mohammed VI Technical Center in Salé on November 22, 2024:
| Group | Teams |
|---|---|
| A | Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, Democratic Republic of Congo |
| B | Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana |
| C | South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania |
Morocco leads Group A, South Africa heads Group C as the defending champions, and Nigeria tops Group B with a record 11 titles.
Significance of the Tournament
This tournament is a crucial opportunity for African teams to prove their worth, with the top four teams qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Morocco’s hosting underscores its dedication to advancing women’s football and strengthens its position as a major sports hub in Africa. The event is also expected to boost the local economy by attracting tourists and fans, enhancing Morocco’s global sports profile, especially as it prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal.
Preparations and Organization
CAF confirmed that Morocco has completed all preparations, including the readiness of six stadiums across five cities, notably the Olympic Stadium in Rabat and Al Sharaf Stadium in Oujda. The tournament will be officiated by 18 main referees, 18 assistant referees, and 10 VAR officials to ensure high-quality match management. This edition builds on Morocco’s successful hosting of the 2022 tournament, which saw Morocco qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup for the first time.
How to Follow the Matches
Fans can watch the matches through various channels, including:
- SuperSport (DStv): Live broadcast across Sub-Saharan Africa.
- SNRT (Al Aoula and Arryadia): Coverage of matches involving the Moroccan team.
- CAF TV: Selected matches streamed live on YouTube.
- FIFA+: Possible streaming of some matches depending on agreements.
Supporters are encouraged to engage on social media using the hashtag **#TotalEnergiesFCON2024 for exclusive news and updates.
Challenges and Expectations
Some fans may face challenges accessing broadcasts due to limited availability of TV channels or digital platforms in certain regions. However, CAF is working to ensure broad coverage through broadcast partnerships. The tournament is expected to feature fierce competition, especially from strong teams like Nigeria aiming to reclaim the title, South Africa defending their crown, and Morocco aspiring to win their first title on home soil.
Conclusion
The Africa Women Cup of Nations 2024 offers a golden opportunity to showcase the talents of African women footballers while elevating Morocco’s status as a global sports destination. As the opening match unfolds today, football enthusiasts can look forward to an exciting series of matches that will shape the tournament’s narrative. Fans are advised to follow official CAF websites and streaming platforms for the latest news and results.
