South Africa join race to host next WAFCON in 2025 amidst Morocco pull out rumour

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

The President of the South Africa Football Association (SAFA), Danny Jordaan, says the country is in pole position to host the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) next year.

Morocco was appointed to host the tournament, which was postponed from 2024 to 2025, and will also stage the men’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) the same year.

The North African country and Confederation of African Football (CAF) decided to postpone the WAFCON to 2025 after a clash with the Paris 2024 Olympics and had since stepped aside from staging the WAFCON, paving the way for South Africa.

”Well, we have submitted to CAF our intention for the next WAFCON, of course, that WAFCON was awarded to Morocco,” Jordaan told SABC Sports.

“CAF must now respond to us, if they say yes – it will allow us to defend our title at home, and it is a huge opportunity for Banyana.”

Banyana, the reigning African champions, had already qualified for the WAFCON after beating Burkina Faso 3-1 on aggregate. Jordaan says they are now focused on playing strong international opposition in preparation for the WAFCON. Desiree Ellis’ team is already scheduled to meet European champions England in Coventry in October.

”We also have to try and renew the Banyana team and have them play friendly matches against big federations in world football, and I guess now it is up to CAF to give us a response,” added Jordaan.

South Africa last hosted the WAFCON in 2010; Banyana Banyana finished third in that tournament as Nigeria beat Equatorial Guinea in the final.

They won the title for the first time after a 2-1 win over Morocco in 2022 and hope to defend their title on home soil if given the right to host the next tournament.

The next WAFCON is scheduled for 6-25 July next year, and the AFCON is penciled in for 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026.