By George Mercy
Saturday the 23rd of July 2022, marked the end of what has been a memorable Women’s AFCON tournament and one of the best so far.
Records were broken, and history made.
Here are the major talking points from the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
- Record Attendances
The Women’s AFCON semifinal game between Morocco and Nigeria set the new record attendance at an African women’s football match with 45,562 fans.
Alright. This is a 53k capacity stadium in Rabat.
The home crowd are here to support Morocco in this semifinal against defending champions, Nigeria.
Look at this turnout!
Thank you Africa! Thank you women's football!#WAFCON2022#TotalEnergiesWAFCON pic.twitter.com/9rP5CWTFk1— Janine (@JanineTony) July 18, 2022
The packed Moulay Abdellah stadium in Rabat for the final between Morocco and South Africa was reminiscent of the 2016 final between Nigeria and Cameroon in Yaounde, Cameroon. These feats remain impressive for the women’s game in Africa.
Absolutely mental!
The Africa Women Cup of Nations final between Nigeria and Cameroon has seen the crowd here since 5am. Game at 3:30pm 😱 pic.twitter.com/PE0WG1ogfH— IG: @LADIESMARCH (@LadiesMarch) December 3, 2016
2. Desiree Ellis – History maker
Having failed to win the WAFCON title twice; once as a player and the other as a coach, Banyana Banyana’s Coach Desiree Ellis finally got her hands on the trophy. She became the first coach to finally lead South Africa to victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
In seventh heaven. Desiree Ellis. 🌟 #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/gWeYMGjdQr
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 24, 2022
3. Astounding Zambia
Tonight. They celebrate. 👯#TeamZambia deserve a huge round of applause! 👏#TotalEnergiesWAFCON2022 | #EmpoweringOurGame pic.twitter.com/nk2pN3LXbF
— CAF Women’s Football (@CAFwomen) July 22, 2022
They were one of the best teams of the just concluded tournament. Going into the tournament without their top player Barbra Banda, many did not expect the Copper Queens to go beyond the Group stage but they did just that while performing impressively in all games. A first ever third place finish for them was enough to crown their efforts in the tournament.
4. Resillient Super Falcons
Although it was a disappointing tournament for the defending champions Nigeria’s Super Falcons, their semifinal performance in the clash against Morocco was one that received praises from football fans. It was one of their best games and fans and rivals were wowed at how Nigeria stood resilient despite being two players down for over 50 minutes. They came close but lost out in the penalty shoot-out.
FT Morocco 1-1 Nigeria (5-4 on Penalties)
The Super Falcons made us proud and every one of them should be celebrated after the performance we saw tonight..
Never seen a team with so much doggedness..
We will be back stronger 💪🏾💪🏾#WAFCON2022 pic.twitter.com/M68y5wcmAT
— Ibukun Aluko (@IbkSports) July 18, 2022
MOROCCO WON THE GAME BUT….
THE SUPER FALCONS WON OUR HEARTS ❤️❤️
AS FOR ME.. THEY ARE THE BEST TEAM IN AFRICA 🌍🌍
Penalty
— MR THADD (@GrvJnr) July 19, 2022
5. Controversial Decisions
Another major talking point in the WAFCON was the decisions in most games by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). The two major games termed “Controversial” were both in the Semi-finals. Some fans didn’t hold back from criticizing the decisions from both games. From the Zambia v South Africa game
South Africa women want to use ojoro to remove Zambia, that was never a penalty #WAFCON
— OMOTAYO Of Lagos 💥 (@Tee_Classiquem1) July 18, 2022
Daylight Robbery.. Thats not a penalty.. Zambia vs South Africa
— Taslim (@wizzardtunes) July 18, 2022
to Nigeria v Morocco
It's clear that this officiating was poor and questionable. If Halimatu Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade both deserved the red cards, I don't understand why Fatima Tagnaout did not get a red card for similar foul. There's foul play somewhere.
— Elisawit (@Elisawit1) July 18, 2022
That's the same foul Fatima Tagnaout did on Ohale and got away with a yellow card but Ajibade gets a red for it @CAF_Online
Morocco 1-1 Nigeria #WAFCON2022
— tega onojaife (@tegasupreme) July 18, 2022
Fans did not hold back on their opinions regarding the decisions.
It was indeed a memorable tournament for both players and fans.