African Women’s Football pioneers discuss evolution and future of the women’s game
With the CAF Women’s Champions League Morocco 2024 officially kicking off this weekend, members of the media across the continent gathered for a virtual engagement with pioneers of African women’s football recently.
Reigning CAF Women’s Coach of the Year and WAFCON winner, Dr Desiree Ellis, CAF Technical Study Group member Clémentine Touré as well as CAF Women’s Football Development Head, Meskerem Tadesse Goshime gathered members of the media to discuss the evolution of the women’s game in Africa ahead of this weekend’s start of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Below is a summary of some of highlights of the conversation.
The progress and increased visibility of women's football in Africa
Since its inaugural edition, the CAF Women's Champions League has enjoyed a significant rise in competitiveness and popularity. Interest from clubs and federations in this competition continues to be on the rise thanks to how well CAF has done in packaging the competition and how it has been a platform for talent identification.
"We have seen, from the first edition, remarkable progress on the technical, tactical, physical and mental levels. The performances of the goalkeepers, for example, have been impressive”, said Touré.
A springboard for the professionalisation of women’s football
CAF also strives to professionalise women's football across Africa, a process that involves the training of coaches and administrators in clubs and federations.
"We have introduced CAF C and D licenses dedicated exclusively to women coaches in several member associations, to help in improving their skills in coaching. We want women to be qualified to occupy positions as coaches, leaders or even club presidents”.
“By investing in training, CAF not only wants to strengthen the technical capacities of clubs but promote equal opportunities for women in all facets of football, from training to management. This commitment aims to ensure that women's football in Africa can compete with the best international teams” said Goshime.
Structural challenges and areas of improvement
The discussions also addressed persistent challenges, including the need to professionalise national leagues to strengthen competitiveness.
"We cannot compete with clubs like FC Barcelona or Manchester City, because many of our leagues remain semi-professional. However, with CAF’s increased efforts of developing strong national leagues, our players will soon be able to fully focus on football and reach new heights”, said Ellis.
Financial support to boost the future of women's football
The CAF Women’s Champions League’s success has also translated in the rise of investment into the competition. This year’s winners will pocket $600 000 as announced recently by CAF.
“Such financial incentives are intended to motivate clubs and allow investments in the development of their women's clubs back home” said Goshime.
A promising future for African women's football
In conclusion, the speakers expressed shared optimism about the future of women’s football in Africa.
According Goshime, the CAF Women’s Champions League is not only a competition, but also a motivation to Member Associations and leagues across Africa to play their part in developing the women’s game.
"Our long-term vision is to use this competition to encourage clubs and federations to invest more in their national leagues which will help in elevating the standard of women’s football," she concluded.
The fourth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League will take place in Morocco between 09 – 23 November.
