May 3 – Paired in the same group, Nigeria and South Africa will headline the first round of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July.
The Super Falcons and Banyana Banyana disputed the final of the 2018 edition when the Nigerians defeated their rivals 4-3 following a penalty shootout and at the draw, for this year’s competition the countries were paired together again. Debutants Burundi and Botswana will complete Group C.
In Group A, Morocco, who qualified automatically as hosts, will face first-time finalists Burkina Faso, Senegal and Uganda. Cameroon, Zambia, Tunisia and debutants Togo complete the field in Group B.
It’s the first time the competition will be staged in a 12-team format. North Africa has never hosted the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations before. Previous hosts included South Africa and Nigeria.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations returns after a hiatus in 2020 when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) cancelled the competition because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a decision that evoked criticism in some quarters with accusations that CAF was neglecting the women’s game.
The tournament will serve as a pathway to the 2023 World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The four semi-finalists at the tournament will represent Africa at the World Cup. Two other finalists will progress to the 10-team intercontinental play-off, where the last three World Cup spots will be at stake.
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 group draw:
Group A: Morocco, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Uganda.
Group B: Cameroon, Zambia, Tunisia, Togo.
Group C: Nigeria, South Africa, Burundi, Botswana.
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