Ghana’s national women’s football team, the Black Queens, has been drawn into Group C for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), setting up a highly anticipated face-off with South Africa, the tournament’s defending champions. This year’s tournament draw, held on November 22, 2024, at the Mohammed VI Technical Centre in Salé, Morocco, placed Ghana alongside strong teams like South Africa, Mali, and Tanzania. The Black Queens are returning to WAFCON with renewed determination after missing out on the previous two editions. This group-stage lineup presents a challenging path for Ghana, as they look to compete against some of the continent's most formidable teams. South Africa, in particular, is expected to be a formidable opponent, given their track record and recent championship title. However, Ghana’s recent successes in regional tournaments suggest that they are well-prepared and focused on making a powerful comeback in this competition.
The tournament’s other groups also feature interesting pairings. Group B includes Nigeria, the record holders for WAFCON titles, who will compete against Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. Nigeria’s placement in Group B comes with high expectations, as their track record in African women’s football is unmatched, making them a favorite to progress. Meanwhile, host nation Morocco is positioned in Group A with Zambia, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Morocco’s team, which reached the finals in 2022, is eager to impress on home soil and use the advantage of a supportive local crowd. Each team in these groups will have to navigate their way through tough competition, as only the top two teams from each group will advance directly to the quarterfinals. Additionally, two of the best third-placed teams will also secure spots in the quarterfinals, adding an extra layer of opportunity for teams that may face challenging early matches.
For Ghana, the stakes in the 2024 WAFCON are high, as a strong performance could lead to a significant reward: qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Ghana has not participated in the World Cup in 18 years, and to break that streak, they must reach at least the semifinal stage in this tournament. The Black Queens’ goal of advancing to the World Cup brings added motivation to perform well, and the team is likely to be highly focused on achieving that target. The 2024 WAFCON is set to run from July 5 to 26, 2025, giving the teams several months to prepare for one of the most competitive WAFCON tournaments in recent years. With high stakes, powerful matchups, and the possibility of World Cup qualification on the line, this tournament promises to be an intense and thrilling experience for players and fans alike.
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