logo
WAFCON finally underway but faces familiar problems – DW – 07/15/2025

WAFCON finally underway but faces familiar problems – DW – 07/15/2025

DW15-07-2025
A year later than planned, the women's Africa Cup of Nations is taking place in Morocco. While star players impress, familiar problems remain.
The rescheduled women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is underway in Morocco, a year later than planned. The tournament sees some of the best players in the world fighting for glory, but as players and nations emerge, familiar problems linger that threaten to stop the tournament from reaching its full potential.
While not a traditional powerhouse, Morocco is becoming the emerging epicenter of women's football on the continent. Thanks to no competing bids and some of the best stadiums in Africa, Morocco have become a stable and safe choice for the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host the tournament. They are hosting again this time around, after having hosted in 2022. They are also set to host in 2026.
Recent investment in the women's game in Morocco is clearly paying off. The women's team unexpectedly reached the World Cup knockout stages in 2023 and have developed star players such as captain and legend Ghizlane Chebbak, who scored a hat trick against DR Congo in the group stage of this year's WAFCON. Under Jorge Vilda, the former Spain coach who was sacked after the 2023 scandal involving former Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales, Morocco are daring to challenge the established football forces of Nigeria and South Africa. They also have the potential to deliver lasting cultural change to both northern Africa and the rest of the continent.
Elsewhere at this year's WAFCON, Nigerian superstar Asisat Oshoala, Zambia's striking duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji and South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis are just some of the star-studded names that make this tournament one of the most intriguing ever.
And yet, the tournament is held back from reaching its full potential by off-field decisions. As a result of the delay, scheduling for the tournament only came out at the end of May, leaving promotion somewhat last minute, especially compared to the Euros. Furthermore, with three stadiums in Morocco being renovated for the men's tournament, three smaller grounds are now being used, affecting attendance numbers.
"We don't celebrate this team enough," Ellis said of her players ahead of their opening game. "That needs to change because many of them are not full-time professionals; that's what makes it the hardest part."
Beyond the recognition that many of these teams deserve and yet still remains elusive is the question of fair financial compensation. South Africa's tournament build-up has been hampered by financial issues, with reports that players were not training and sponsors hadn't been secured. An agreement with the players has since been reached, but the team's frustration is one that sadly many other nations competing this summer will likely be able to relate to.
"Women in sports, in general, are getting the leftovers," Ellis said.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
The prize money on offer is also a contentious issue.
On the face of it, the CAF announcement that the prize fund for this year's WAFCON had been increased by 45% was positive, with the winners now receiving €853,000 ($1 million). But that total is not only less than the winners of the other two women's competitions this summer – the Euros (€1.75 million) and Copa America Femenina (€1.3 million). It is worth noting that the Euros total prize money is up by 156% from the last edition. As is often the case for most women's tournaments, the pot is considerably smaller than the men's version. While €853,000 for this year's WAFCON winners is obviously a step in the right direction, it is still a long way off the €6 million Senegal's men got for winning the AFCON in 2023.
This pay gap marks a wider issue in the women's game, which many players at this year's WAFCON have to contend with. As FIFA's annual report on women's football in March this year revealed, sustainable income remains elusive for many in the professional game. In the report, FIFA highlighted that the global average annual salary for a woman playing professional football is €9,952 ($10,900). Players at teams given the Tier 1 designation were on an average salary of €20,492 but the average of those at Tier 2 and 3 clubs was €3,719 and €2,392 respectively. While many of the 288 players at this year's WAFCON play their club football in Europe, only a handful play at top outfits. For example, only 10 play in the NWSL (top women's league in the USA) or the WSL (top women's league in England) and most of the South Africa, Botswana and Tanzania squads play domestically.
Despite the smaller crowds, the lack of adequate promotion and unique struggles of each nation, this year's WAFCON already has the makings of being the best yet. But as women's football continues to grow in Africa, the hurdles in the way – both globally and nationally – still hold women in professional football back.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Euro 2025 final: England beat Spain to win again – DW – 07/27/2025
Euro 2025 final: England beat Spain to win again – DW – 07/27/2025

DW

time21 minutes ago

  • DW

Euro 2025 final: England beat Spain to win again – DW – 07/27/2025

England's women have retained the European Championships after beating Spain on penalties. It was a measure of revenge for England who have made a habit of unlikely comebacks in this tournament. Finally it was England's turn. After defeats to Spain in the women's World Cup final in 2023 and the men's Euros final in 2024, Sarina Wiegman's team finally got the better of their rivals. England created the better chances in the early exchanges, with Lauren Hemp forcing a smart save from Cata Coll after intercepting a loose pass from the Spanish goalkeeper. TheEuro 2022 winners were soon punished for that miss though, with Spain building patiently down the right before Ona Batlle dug out a cross which Caldentey, who plays her club football in England for Arsenal, headed powerfully home on 25 minutes. With superiority established on the scoreboard, the world champions took control of possession and kept England at arm's length until halftime. But England have made a habit of comebacks in the tournament. They lost their first match to France and came from behind to win in their quaterfinal and semifinal, against Sweden and Italy respectively. On 57 minutes, they were at it again as Alessia Russo rose to plant a superb header in the Spanish net after a Chloe Kelly's cross. Kelly, on as a substitute, scored the winner from the bench in the 2022 final in England against Germany and has had a major role in her team's comebacks this campaign. The goal galvanized England and the game became increasingly stretched, with chances spurned and saved at either end before extra time arrived. Spain reasserted control soon after but lacked cutting edge, just as they had against Germany in the semifinal, when it took them 113 minutes to break the deadlock and win the game. England managed to cling on to force penalties. In the end, Kelly fired home the decisive spot kick. Her again.

Amateur Football Leagues Win Over Cynical Chinese Fans
Amateur Football Leagues Win Over Cynical Chinese Fans

Int'l Business Times

time15 hours ago

  • Int'l Business Times

Amateur Football Leagues Win Over Cynical Chinese Fans

On a summer's day in the city of Suzhou, about 40,000 people crowded into a stadium while thousands more gathered by public screens to watch China's hottest sport -- amateur football. A balm for cynical fans drained by years of corruption and ineptitude in the professional game, the amateur leagues springing up around China have drawn millions of viewers online, boosted domestic tourism to lesser-known locales and sparked good-natured rivalry between cities. At the sold-out match in searing heat in Suzhou, near Shanghai, the home crowd jumped out of their seats and cheered when 17-year-old Kou Cheng scored against Yangzhou city in the second minute. Many wore bright red jerseys and T-shirts emblazoned with the characters for "Suzhou" and used paper fans to cool themselves. "Compared to other competitions, the fans here are more passionate, and even if they don't understand football, the atmosphere is lively," Qian Chunyan, a 35-year-old Suzhou resident, told AFP. The tournament first took off in the eastern province of Jiangsu -- where Suzhou is located -- earlier this year. The live-streamed matches soon drew millions of spectators on social media, putting smaller provincial cities on the domestic tourism map. That, in turn, has created a local consumption boom, giving cities that host matches a much-needed reprieve from years of sluggish spending. The games, initially sponsored by local businesses such as barbecue restaurants, have now attracted backing from big-name companies like e-commerce platforms Alibaba and Fans of local amateur leagues told AFP they were drawn to matches by the simplicity of football not weighed down by the vast sums of money the professional game involves. "With widespread public participation and minimal corporate involvement, it's a more pure form of football," Wang Xiangshuo, a Suzhou football fan, told AFP. "Winning or losing doesn't matter, purity is most important." Professional football clubs in China, even in its top Super League, have been plagued by match-fixing and gambling scandals. The national team's abysmal performances at international tournaments often draw scorn and abuse from social media users. President Xi Jinping has said he wants China to win the World Cup one day. But the men's team are ranked 94th in the world by FIFA this year and they have only qualified once for the World Cup, in 2002, when they lost all three of their games without scoring a goal. Players in provincial leagues range from high school students to civil servants, including village Communist Party secretary Dai Hu, whose on-field appearances saw him featured by state news agency Xinhua. Local amateur tournaments are "a great model for community football, allowing every citizen to have their own home team", Jin Shan, a football expert at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, told AFP. "It brings football closer to the general public." Local tourism has seen a boost from the league's popularity too. Since it began in May, the Jiangsu amateur tournament -- affectionately dubbed the "Su Super League" -- has accounted for a growth in tourism spending in six cities across the province of more than 14 percent, according to state-run broadcaster CGTN. Chen Tianshu, a souvenirs manufacturer in Nantong city, told AFP her colleagues rushed to make enamel badges with team logos and ice cream popsicles in the shape of local symbols after seeing branded tote bags sell out in a neighbouring city. "The ice cream sold very well, with the first batch of a thousand pieces already almost sold out," said Chen, whose company comprises just a dozen people. "Our performance in the Su Super League is giving Nantong a rare moment to shine," she said. Other provinces eager for their share of the amateur football boom are following in Jiangsu's footsteps, with southern Jiangxi province hosting a two-stage tournament this month. Social media trends in China often lead to unexpected locations receiving sudden surges of visitors. Travellers flocked to the industrial town of Zibo in northern China in 2023, after videos featuring its regional barbecue style went viral. "This year's success (of the Jiangsu league) is an unexpected delight," souvenir maker Chen told AFP. "I hope this will be a long-lasting tradition." Cities that host matches are getting a much-needed reprieve from years of sluggish spending AFP Professional football clubs in China, even in its top Super League, have been plagued by match-fixing and gambling scandals AFP Fans walk to the stadium to watch the amateur league football match between Suzhou and Zhenjiang at the Suzhou Sport Center AFP Fans of local amateur leagues told AFP they were drawn to matches by the simplicity of football not weighed down by the vast sums of money the professional game involves AFP Local tourism has seen a boost from the league's popularity AFP

Mali basketball whistleblower still fighting for justice – DW – 07/23/2025
Mali basketball whistleblower still fighting for justice – DW – 07/23/2025

DW

time4 days ago

  • DW

Mali basketball whistleblower still fighting for justice – DW – 07/23/2025

A young basketball player is continuing to fight for justice four years after first speaking out about the sexual abuse of minors in Mali's women's national program. It is no small matter that Djelika "Mami" Tounkara has lost her anonymity. "I am afraid," Tounkara told DW. "Before my name went public, I had already received death threats. Now, I will need more protection, but I have never had any. So, even though I am afraid, I want to talk, to express myself because I want to protect others." Her name became public in a decision published by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in June, but her fight for justice began in 2021 when she rejected and then reported the sexual advances of her former head coach at the Malian Basketball Federation (FMBB). The coach was later charged, arrested and jailed in July 2021 for pedophilia, attempted rape and molestation of other victims. Shortly afterwards, the talented then-teenager lost her place in the squad for the U18/U19 World Cup in Hungary in August 2021, which she and her lawyers claim was direct retaliation for reporting abuse. "The federation (FMBB) tried to shut me up when I spoke up at the time," the now 21-year-old Tounkara said. "Even just for that, I didn't receive any support from FIBA (basketball's world governing body)." Tounkara also said that the threats made her feel that she had to leave the country for her own safety. Tounkara's decision to speak to DW came after yet another setback in her quest for FIBA to acknowledge the harm she has been subjected to for becoming a whistleblower. In its decision published last month, the CAS ruled it did not have jurisdiction to hear an appeal by Tounkara. Tounkara had turned to the CAS after years of seeking justice within numerous FIBA legal mechanisms as she sought remedy for opportunities denied to her. In August 2021, she filed a case with the FIBA Ethics Panel, claiming the FMBB had unfairly dropped her from the national team. A ruling was delayed by the deaths of three of the five members on the panel, leaving Tounkara the choice of either the two remaining members delivering a ruling or waiting until at least mid-2023 when new panel members would be appointed. Not wanting to wait, Tounkara took the decision to FIBA's Appeals Panel. It was after this was rejected in 2024, that her lawyers turned to CAS. "I'm disappointed that the CAS only focused on the technical details," she said. "FIBA still do not speak about my safety and the safety of the other girls in our country who were abused at the time. CAS believed me, but again they have not done anything to help me at the end." William Bock III, who signed on as one of Tounkara's lawyers in 2022, sees the CAS' decision to accept FIBA's request to rule the court does not have jurisdiction as a significant blow. "It's the most disappointing result I've ever had as a lawyer because of the enormity of the wrongs that 'Mami' has already experienced," Bock told DW. "We've spent four years trying to undo some of the harm that FIBA did by failing her and we're caught in their maze of internal legal processes that we may never get out of." This is because when the CAS ruled that it didn't have jurisdiction, it referred the case back to FIBA's Ethics Panel. Bock and Tounkara's other lawyers have worked pro bono for years seeking to remedy the opportunities they believe she was denied by not being allowed to participate in the 2021 U18/U19 World Cup. Her career was put on hold for over two years as the death threats she received in Mali confined her to her house and resulted in a significant deterioration of her mental health. "Mami's a young woman, but every year that goes by, she loses more of the opportunities that were taken away from her by not being able to participate at a very important point in her career," Bock said. "Especially in a world event that would have allowed her to be seen by scouts from the United States and around the world. She might have had a chance to have a much better basketball opportunity if FIBA had quickly realized that she was the subject of retaliation." Ahmar Maiga, the founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Young Players Protection Association in Africa – Mali (YPPA-Mali), was the first to report the abuse and remains skeptical about FIBA's genuine desire to help Tounkara. "She (Tounkara) spoke up and because of the truth, she paid a lot for that," Maiga said. "In her career and in her personal life. FIBA has always preferred business to safety. It is all about business and politics, and not about the safety of players." With the case being back at the FIBA Ethics Panel, there is no indication of when a decision on the player's appeal could be issued. Responding to a query from DW, FIBA simply confirmed that the CAS had referred the case back to the Ethics Panel. Despite being exhausted by the fight and in constant fear for her life, Tounkara remains resolute in continuing along her current path, not for the betterment of her life but for young girls hoping to follow their own basketball dreams in Mali. "I always hope for justice," she said. "For me, that justice would be a change that protects the youth and our little sisters in the future."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store