Who are the contenders heading into Friday’s WAfcon draw?
Banyana Banyana.Africa Cup of Nations
Africa’s top women superstars will take to the field in Morocco in July to contest the 14th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
It’s set to be a stacked field, and with the tournament having been skipped amidst the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, expect the big names of the women’s game to be raring to go as they compete for the continent’s grandest prize.
Ahead of Friday’s group-stage draw, GOAL preview the top five contenders ahead of Friday’s WAfcon draw.
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Asisat Oshoala’s recent injury—sustained while on duty with Barcelona—represents a setback for the Super Falcons, who now face a race against time to be fit and firing for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
It’s been an injury-hit year for the attacker, who would have been hoping to inspire the West African giants to victory in Morocco.
Without her, Randy Waldrum will require some of the 11-time champions’ other players to step up, but he’ll hope his stacked squad can go the difference with or without their talisman.
Getty ImagesCameroon
Runners-up on four occasions—including in both 2014 and 2016—Cameroon will be desperate to go one further this time around.
Qualification came amidst a flurry of goals—eight at home against The Gambia—and the Lionesses certainly have the quality to cause the Super Falcons (and others) great concern.
Ajara Nchout—now of Internazionale—has the potential to be one of the stars of the tournament, and will assist in Friday’s draw.
FRMR mediaMorocco
The third of the top seeds, Morocco will be boosted by home advantage—which served the men’s African Nations Championship team well during their victory in 2018—but also have considerable talent to turn to as well.
They’ve lost only once in the last year, and a five-game winning streak—including a recent 2-0 friendly victory over Ghana’s Black Queens—bodes well.