Latest news with #TotalEnergiesCAFWAFCON
CAF
11-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Rasheedat Ajibade - Captain and Driving Force of the Super Falcons
At 25, Rasheedat Ajibade is playing in her third TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON. From rookie in 2018 to captain in the 2024 edition, the Atlético Madrid striker has grown in leaps and bounds. Long considered a promising prospect, she has established herself as a central figure of the Super Falcons. Arriving like a flash, she has become the compass. On Thursday night, on the compact pitch of Casablanca's Larbi Zaouli Stadium, she did not score. She did not need to. Present in every area, precise in her choices, invaluable in moments of uncertainty, Ajibade was a beacon against Botswana. Voted Woman of the Match after the 1-0 victory, she once again confirmed that she is not just a dynamite on the wing: she is the soul of a Nigeria seeking to regain their title. 2018 – The rookie with sharp cleats She was not yet 19. Shaved head, sharp legs, and that quiet rage to make it into the continent's most feared national team. At the 2018 edition in Ghana, Ajibade entered the fray with respect but without any fear. She crossed paths with legends: Rita Chikwelu, Desire Oparanozie, Ngozi Ebere. She kept quiet, she watched, she learned. And above all, she stayed ready. During the semi-final against Cameroon (a goalless draw, 4-2 on penalties), she came on as a substitute and did not flinch when it came to time to take her penalty. A few days later, she lifted the continental trophy. Her first title, her first thrill, on the eve of her 19th birthday. A promise. A starting point. 2022 – The established player, driven by Europe Four years later, everything had changed. She had left Lagos, made a stopover in Norway (Avaldsnes IL), then found a home in Spain, at Atlético Madrid. As a bonus, she had a new look: electric blue hair, which has become her signature look. The pace had accelerated, as had the demands. "In Madrid, I learned to play more accurately. Run less for the sake of running. See before I receive," she confided to the BBC. She is no longer just an arrow: she thinks, she anticipates, she orchestrates. In 2022, back in Morocco, she finally donned the costume. An undisputed starter, she scored three goals, was the tournament's joint top scorer, and was named to the competition's first XI. In the quarterfinals, she was the one who clinched Nigeria's qualification against Cameroon (1-0), with a masterful crossfire effort. Ajibade, the immediate impact. But the end left a bitter taste. Suspended for the semifinal against the host country (1-1, 5-4 on penalties), she watched the elimination from the bench. Then, she saw the Super Falcons lose to Zambia (1-0) in the third-place match. A frustrating campaign. But for her, one thing is certain: Nigeria can no longer advance without Ajibade. 2024 – The captain, the voice that carries She no longer needs to assert herself. Since 2023, she has worn the captain's armband. It is not a formality; it is a given. On the pitch, she sets the tone. Off it, she extends her hand. Ajibade is now that quiet figure, the one who reassures, who guides, who speaks little but speaks clearly and direct. Against Botswana, she delivered a remarkable performance: 81 touches on the ball, eight duels won, five key passes, three shots on target. But more than the numbers, it is the style. She guides, delays, restarts and puts pressure on the ball. She returns to retrieve low balls, launches attacks, manages weak moments. She was everywhere. Without forcing anything. With easy. With authority. Ajibade has not just changed roles in six years. She has navigated the stages with rare consistency. She has moved from the shadow of her former teammates to the spotlight of responsibility. Without ever betraying her style. Today, she embodies a less flamboyant Nigeria, but one that is more structured, more patient, and more solid. And in this team seeking a new crown, she is the one leading the way.
CAF
06-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Algeria – Botswana: Two Opposite Paths, One Goal
At the Père Jégo Stadium, this Sunday at 8 p.m. (local time), Algeria begin their sixth participation in the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON against Botswana, the emerging nation in continental Women's Football. For les Vertes it is a much-anticipated return to a tournament they are yet to conquer. For the Mares, it is confirmation that they belong to this level after a notable first appearance in 2022. Algeria Faces Old Demons Algeria have always had a tough relationship with the WAFCON. Qualifying for the first time in 2004, the team has always blown hot and cold. Since 2006, they have participated in every other edition (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and now 2024). This is the first time Algeria have competed in a WAFCON in North Africa. A concern? Not really. "We feel like we are not far from home. It is motivating," sighs Imane Chebel, a key member of the team. Along with her two teammates, Morgane Belkhiter and Inès Boutaleb, she is part of the trio that took part in the 2018 edition. A tournament where Algeria showed some intent, notably in their 3-2 defeat to Mali after leading even though they were undone by inconsistency. But since 2014 when they recorded a 1-0 victory against Ghana in the opening fixture, Algeria have not won in the finals (5 consecutive defeats). Their record is significant: 15 matches, only two wins, only once by more than two goals scored. Worse, les Fennecs have never reached the quarterfinals. A milestone they hope to finally reach, after eliminating Uganda (3-2) and then sweeping Burundi (6-1) in qualifying. Botswana, small in size, big in will The Mares surprised everyone in 2022. In their first-ever participation in the WAFCON, they reached the quarterfinals, where they only narrowly lost to Morocco (2-1). Their strength? A closely-knit team, a rare continuity in African Football. Of the 23 players present in Morocco, 17 were part of the 2022 adventure. Seven of them started all five matches played that year. This loyalty reflects confidence in a long-term project. "We want to prove it was not a fluke. We are coming back to do better," explained Refilwe Tholakele, a powerful striker and co-top scorer for the Mares in the last edition with two goals. A tactical and mental battle Algeria will have to contend with an opponent who plays without complexes. More experienced in continental competitions, les Fennecs have a little more experience. But Botswana is a difficult team to maneuver - compact and capable of rapid transitions. If Algeria scores first, they will have to learn to manage their lead – something they failed to do against Mali in 2018. Farid Benstiti, the new Algerian coach, has long emphasized "defensive organization and seriousness in weak moments." Alongside him, Chebel, Belkhiter and Boutaleb will have to guide an ambitious but still inexperienced youthful team at the highest level. At the Père Jégo stadium, the atmosphere promises to be subdued, but the intensity on the pitch could be fiery.
CAF
04-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Massive Global Broadcast Demand ahead of the kick-off of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 on Saturday
More than 120 territories including new markets in Asia, South and North America and Europe, will watch the opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 between hosts Morocco and Zambia on Saturday, 05 July 2025. The enormous grow in demand underscores the growth and development of Women's Football in Africa and, in particular, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON that showcases some of the biggest names in global women's football, including Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala, Zambia's duo Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, who previously occupied the top spot as the most expensive women's footballer globally. The opening match on Saturday will kick-off at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT/ 22h00 CAT / 23h00 East African time). To see the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 full Match Calendar, CLICK HERE The Final of the competition will be played on 26 July 2025 in Rabat, Morocco. Some of the world's biggest broadcasters will show the Competition, including CAF's long-term partner, beIN Sport, CANAL+, New WorldTV, SuperSport, Azam Media, SABC, Ziggo, BAND, SportTV, Arena Sport, and many others. In the Host Nation, local broadcaster SNRT/ Aarryadia will ensure Moroccans have access to the Event. In the rest of Africa, over 30 Free-to-Air Broadcasters will ensure that the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 has a larger footprint. Some of these include RTNC (DR Congo), ORTB (Benin), RTB (Burkina Faso), GBC (Ghana), NBC (Namibia), NCI (Cote d'Ivoire), to mention but a few. This extensive television coverage underlines CAF's ambition to make African women's football visible, inspiring and accessible to everyone, everywhere. Fans around the world will be able to follow the matches from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Australia, France, Belgium, Germany, Qatar, the Netherlands and Singapore. For a full list of the global broadcasters for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, CLICK HERE. For more information on the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, visit Media enquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Division
CAF
25-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Ibtissam Jraidi: "My dream is to win the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with Morocco"
"We are preparing seriously to make our mark at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON," says the Atlas Lionesses striker. "I always want the fans to be satisfied with me and my performances on the pitch," said the Moroccan. "My goal is first and foremost to help my country, Morocco, stay on track." Ibtissam Jraidi, striker with the Moroccan women's national team, spoke to about her personal ambitions and her ultimate dream: to lift the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations in front of her home crowd at the 2024 edition to be held in July 2025. Morocco's first goalscorer at a FIFA Women's World Cup, she has already achieved several personal goals. But her obsession remains the continental title. At 32 years old, the player of Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) will have the opportunity to offer Morocco its very first continental title, three years after failing in the final against South Africa (2-1). In this in-depth interview, Jraidi talks about her progress, relationship with coach Jorge Vilda and vision for the upcoming tournament. How is your personal preparation for the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON going? Ibtissam Jraidi: Thank God, my preparation is going well. We work on a regular basis, my teammates and I. We are aware of the responsibility we have. The Women's AFCON will be difficult. Each team will play its chances to the fullest. We are preparing seriously to make our voice heard in this competition. You have become an emblematic figure of Moroccan women's football, especially after your goal in the World Cup. Is this a pressure or a source of motivation for you? It's a real source of motivation. It pushes me to redouble my efforts to help my national team achieve its goals. Every player dreams of scoring at the World Cup, winning a trophy or an individual title. But nothing is easy: it requires work, sacrifices. It is the result of a total commitment. You took part in the last edition of the AFCON. What lessons have you learned from this? Honestly, we weren't deflated by the defeat in the final. We played against a very good South African team. It was small details that made the difference. That's football. We didn't win, but we didn't give up either. We have redoubled our efforts to come back stronger in this new edition. Since then, you have progressed on an individual level: second top scorer in the Saudi league, first Moroccan scorer in the World Cup... How do you feel about this recognition? I always try to make the fans proud, whether they are those of my club in Saudi Arabia or those of Morocco. I want them to be satisfied with my performances. But it takes a lot of work. In my eyes, what we give in training is reflected on the pitch. You have to be 100% focused on each session to be able to give the best of yourself in matches. Morocco has inherited a tough group with Zambia, Senegal and DR Congo. What is your opinion of the draw? They are solid opponents. Each team qualified for the finals comes with the ambition to win. Everyone is aiming for the title, and it often comes down to a few things. As far as we are concerned, we work seriously. We know our mission, and we will give everything to go as far as possible. And why not win the cup? We want to make our people proud. What are your personal ambitions for this edition of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON? My goal is above all to help my country stay on the right track. I want to give everything I can offer, 200%. To be useful to my teammates, to my team and to Morocco to win this title. That's what matters most to me. What is your role within the current group? If I am selected, my role is clear: to contribute to the team and to the country. Individual considerations come second. I just want the technical staff and the directors to be satisfied with my work and my commitment. Jorge Vilda, world champion with Spain, is now the coach of Morocco. How do you feel about this change and what does it bring to the group, especially in your position as a striker? Working with him has allowed me to gain confidence. He believes in my qualities and transmits great energy to us. It prepares us mentally, motivates us, and pushes us to surpass ourselves. He makes us want to go on the pitch with a smile, and fight until the end. For me, he's the best coach in the world. If you could talk to the 15-year-old Ibtissam, what would you say to her? I would tell her to never give up, to keep believing in her dreams, to work hard, to persevere. If you want something deeply, you can achieve it. You have to chart your own path, accept failures, get back up and keep moving forward. Thank God, I achieved almost all of my goals. I have only one dream left: to win the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with my country. That's my ultimate dream today. And I hope that we will achieve this together, with ambition and solidarity. A last word for the Moroccan fans, who place a lot of hope in your team? Moroccans love football, and they love results. I ask them to continue to support us, until the last minute. The fans are our 12th player. They give us incredible strength. We will fight for them on the pitch, we will give much more than our maximum. We will play for them, and if we have to, we will fight to the end for their pride.
CAF
22-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Barbra Banda and Rasheedat Ajibade to take part in third TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Stars Spotlight Webinar on Monday, 23 June
Published: Sunday, 22 June 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) will host the third and final instalment of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Stars Spotlight Webinars on Monday, 23 June at 15h00 GMT, with some of the continent's top stars to take part, among them Barbra Banda and Rasheedat Ajibade. As part of its commitment to elevating the profile of women's football in Africa, CAF has launched the dynamic digital series to amplify the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024, that will be staged between 5 - 26 July. The TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON is the flagship women's competition on the African continent and continues to experience exceptional growth in global viewership, fan attendance and commercial strength. The first two webinars proved a great success, providing in-depth insights for the media who attended. The line-up for the third Webinar includes moderator Thato Moeng and some of Africa's leading players: Barbra Banda (Zambia) Jennifer Cudjoe (Ghana) Rasheedat Ajibade (Nigeria) Sedilame Maitumelo Boseja (Botswana) Translation services will be available to media who wish to take part in the discussion. The sessions are designed to highlight Africa's deep reservoir of talent and celebrate the unique stories of players who are driving the women's game forward across the globe. For more on the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, visit -ENDS- Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
