Eight teams have progressed to the quarter-finals of the 2022 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as we reach the business end of the tournament.
We take a look at the upcoming matches:
Morocco vs Botswana [Wednesday, 13 July 2022]
The hosts have been perfect in the tournament so far, grinding their way through their Group A matches and amassing nine points, scoring five goals and conceding just once, to top the table and book a place in the quarter-finals.
Captain Ghizlane Chebbak is the current leading goal scorer at the tournament with three goals – all from set pieces – two penalties and a free kick that have elevated the Atlas Lionesses as one of the title contenders in this tournament.
Botswana head coach Gaoletlhoo Nkutkwisang has been spoken widely about and she likes coming up against big coaches and in this case they don’t come much bigger than Reynald Pedros – a two-time UEFA Women’s Champions League winner with Olympique Lyon.
Zambia vs Senegal [Wednesday, 13 July 2022]
Both Zambia and Senegal have never gone past the group stages at AWCON, but at this year’s edition their hard work from many years of building and rebuilding has finally paid off.
With places at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand guaranteed for the semi-finalists, a lot is at stake for both teams.
Captain Grace Chanda has been in fine form scoring a brace so far at the tournament, but against Senegal the Copper Queens face one of the best defences in the tournament. The Teranga Lionesses have only conceded once so far – a penalty scored by Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak.
Zambia too have let in just one goal and will be looking to continue with their impressive setup at the back when they face the West Africans.
Cameroon vs Nigeria [Thursday, 14 July 2022]
This match is one of the richest football rivalries on the continent!
Ahead of this quarter-final matchup which is a repeat of the 2016 final in Yaounde, this derby is expected to produce fireworks. Both are physical and athletic teams that will need to dig deep to progress to the next level.
Nigeria come into this one as the favourites to win, courtesy of their pedigree at this tournament – having won nine titles and having also scored the most tournament goals so far – seven to be exact.
On the other hand, Cameroon started slowly with a goalless draw against Zambia, but have since found their feet in the tournament and can now be taken seriously as title contenders.
South Africa vs Tunisia [Thursday, 14 July 2022]
South Africa go into the next round as one of two sides that won all their group stage games, amassing nine points.
Captain Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo and Andile Dlamini have been some of the standout players for Desiree Ellis’ side, bringing experience and exposure into the team setup.
However, the Carthage Eagles who have found solace in the individual brilliance of Mariem Houji will be out for blood. They are playing at AWCON for only the second time and can smell a place at the World Cup.
Photo 1 Caption: South Africa go into the next round at AWCON as one of two sides that won all their group stage games, amassing nine points. Photo: Banyana Banyana (Twitter)
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