Africa will have a new continental champion as the final match of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations(WAFCON) takes center stage in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco later tonight.
The host nation, Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses will lock horns with Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the much-publicized final of an eventful tournament so far.
Morocco defeated nine-time winners and defending champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons 5-4 on penalties after both the regulation and extra time ended in a one-all draw to book their place in this year’s final.
While South Africa booked their place in the final in a controversial manner after they were awarded a die-minute penalty that was contested by the Zambians in their semi-final fixture, to make it to the final of the biennial football tournament for the sixth time.
Facts about the two sides
This is the first time Morocco has reached the final of the biggest football tournament in the continent while South Africa is the favorite to win this tournament on paper, the Banyana Banyana reached the final five times before this edition, most recently in 2018, they have finished in the top four of the tournament ten times, only Nigeria and Cameroon have done a better number than South Africa.
What is at stake
The chance of being crowned the champions of Africans and becoming the third-ever country to lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy. The previous editions of the tournament have only been won by just two countries, which are Nigeria with the most titles, winning the trophy nine times while the other country is Equatorial Guinea which won it twice in 2008 and 2012.
A whopping sum of USD 500 000 awaits the new champions after a 150% increase of USD 300 000 compared to USD 200 000 received by previous winners of this competition.
As part of efforts to restructure women’s football in Africa, CAF President Dr. Practice Motsepe last month increased the overall prize money for the 2022 WAFCON from USD 975 000 to USD 2 400 000 – an increase of almost USD 1.5 million.
Time, date, and venue
The final of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be played today, Saturday 23 June 2022 at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco by 9:00 pm.
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