TotalEnergies Women’s AFCON Morocco 2022: Let’s start the race
The qualifying race for the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022™ kicks off on Wednesday, October 20 with twenty-one (21) matches scheduled across the continent.
Exciting thrillers are on the program for this first round first leg which will run until 22 October 2021.
CAFOnline.com highlights the biggest games to follow given the recent performances of the teams.
Central African Republic vs. Cameroon
Since 2002, the Indomitable Lionesses have always reached the last four of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, ending runners-up in 2014 and 2016, and also bronze medalists in 2018. They intend to improve their performances and the first obstacle between them and the final tournament in Morocco will be the Central African Republic. .
Never have the Fauves Ladies succeeded in defeating the Indomitable Lionesses. The predictions therefore announce the band to Aboudi Onguene and Ajara Njoya favorite. But is there really nothing to fear from a CAR team that has worked hard over the past few years to develop their women's football?
The answer on Wednesday at 13:00 GMT at the Japoma Stadium in Douala where the Fauves du bas-Oubangui will host the Lionesses, before playing the return leg on October 24 in Yaoundé.
Malawi vs. Zambia
The Malawi Scorchers will host the Copper Queens of Zambia in Lilongwe. The match is scheduled to start at 14:00 GMT at the Bingu National Stadium. The Scorchers will be looking for their first participation in the Women's AFCON after their back-to-back exploits in COSAFA, with a place as semi-finalist in the 2020 women's tournament and finalist in the 2021 edition.
As for Zambia, the African representatives at the last Olympic Games are favored by predictions. But they will have to do without the presence of their stars playing in China. "Everyone is expecting a tough game because every team is improving and being an AWCON qualifier match, every team wants to be at the tournament so we will take every game serious,” said Zambia goalkeeper Hazel Nali.
Mozambique vs. South Africa
After their victory in the Aisha Buhari tournament, Banyana Banyana encountered some difficulties in putting together good performances, remaining on two consecutive defeats in the semi-finals and third place match in the COSAFA Women's Championship. The ladies of Desiree Ellis have to get their act together and the bet will not be easy against a team from Mozambique who will play at home.
With the return of internationals like Refiloe, Mothlalo and Kgatlana, South Africa will be on another level. It should also be remembered that Sibulele Holweni, named in the squad, finished top scorer in the COSAFA tournament.
The two teams will reunite after being in the same group during the regional tournament wherein South Africa dominated Mozambique 3-1. But Cidalia Cuta and Cina Manuel who have been prolific during the last stages will be ready to achieve a feat, on the Mozambican side.
The Estadio Nacional de Zimpeto will be the theatre of the match scheduled from 13:00 GMT, with the return leg to follow six days later.
Algeria vs. Sudan
The Desert Foxes participated in 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 Women's AFCONS. The desire to register a sixth participation will therefore animate the ladies of Radia Fertoul against Sudan.
Sudan, new to women's football, is writing maiden pages in its history. Its participation last August in the Arab Cup 2021 will have been a painful but compulsory learning to obtain results. And now is the time to capitalize on the bloody losses to make the most of them.
The first leg will take place on Wednesday at 17:00 GMT at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers. The return leg will take place in Omdurman six days later.
Mali vs. Guinea
Mali's Eagles led by Bassira Touré and Couloumba Sogoré among others will try to join the next round of the qualifiers.
The brilliant performance from Mali at the last TotalEnergies AFCON in 2018 in Ghana now makes the West African nation a serious contender to this qualifying phase. The Eagles had secured fourth place in the prestigious continental tournament.
Opposite, Guinea will try to qualify for the first time. With 12 participants instead of the 8 in previous editions, the possibilities are more numerous for the Guineans who can hope to create the sensation.
A game to follow at 16.30 GMT.
Nigeria vs. Ghana
The biggest encounter of the first round will pit the Super Falcons against the Black Queens. In addition to the need to each mark their dominance, the two West African nations will try to secure a privileged place for the next round of the qualifiers.
Advantage in Nigeria, defending champion and nine-time Africa Cup of Nations winner. The first leg will take place in Lagos, while the return is scheduled for Accra.
The full schedule for the first round
20.10.2021
13:00 : Uganda vs Ethiopia
13:00 : Eritrea vs Burundi
13:00 : Tanzania vs Namibia
13:00 : Zimbabwe vs Eswatini
13:00 : Mozambique vs South Africa
13:00 : CAR vs Cameroon
14:00 : Malawi vs Zambia
14:00 : Egypt vs Tunisia
14:30 : Congo vs Gabon
15:00 : Kenya vs South Sudan
15:00 : Liberia vs Senegal
15:00 : Nigeria vs Ghana
15:30 : Guinea Bissau vs Mauritania
15:30 : Niger vs Cote d’Ivoire
16:00 : Angola vs Botswana
16:00 : Sierra Leone vs Gambia
16:00 : Burkina Faso vs Benin
16:30 : Mali vs Guinea
17:00 : Algeria vs Sudan
17:00 : Equatorial Guinea vs DRC
22.10.2021
13:00 : Sao Tome vs Togo
Djibouti vs Rwanda canceled due to Rwandan team withdrawal. Djibouti is qualified for the next round.