Latest news with #TotalEnergiesCAFWAFCON
CAF
17 hours ago
- General
- CAF
Alex Malete (Botswana): 'Our minimum target is the quarterfinals'
A former radio analyst, trained teacher and FIFA instructor, Alex Malete wants to make Botswana a serious contender Appointed head coach in 2023 after years as an assistant, he's brought a new level of discipline to the Mares' preparations Botswana will face Nigeria, Algeria and Tunisia in Group B of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 He no longer wants Botswana to be seen as mere participants. At just 35 years old, Alex Basimanebotlhe Malete is determined to shake up the hierarchy of African women's football. He's not just dreaming he's planning. He's not there to take part he's there to compete, to be seen, to break through barriers. Promoted to head coach of the Mares in 2023 after several years behind the scenes as assistant coach, Malete wasted no time in making his presence felt. Gone are the days of half-hearted preparations and excuses around lack of experience. Under his leadership, everyday matters, every session is carefully planned, every friendly is treated as a proper test. 'Not reaching the quarterfinals would be unacceptable,' he states clear-eyed but ambitious. And it's not just talk. Despite his youth, Malete speaks from experience. He knows this team inside out, having been part of it for years. He started off as 'just' the assistant. Now, he's the one in charge. And his unconventional background is his greatest asset: a former radio analyst who turned his attention to the pitch, a qualified teacher and a passionate FIFA instructor focused on youth development he represents a new wave of African coaches. With a clear approach, a youth-focused strategy and a bold message, he's determined to do better than in 2022, when Botswana surprised many by reaching the quarterfinals before falling to Morocco (2-1). But this time, the element of surprise is gone. Malete is open about his goal: he wants to make his team one of the continent's powerhouses. As the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2024 approaches, the team enters a critical phase of preparation. Under Alex Malete, Botswana moves forward with method and ambition no longer just to participate, but to make an impact. How would you assess your team's preparation for this TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON? Alex Malete: I'd say we're in the final stages of our preparation. We're starting our camp today, and we're waiting for all the players to join us. The good news is that one of our players, who was out for the whole of last year due to injury, is finally back. That's a big plus for us. Starting today, we'll focus on our next two matches against South Africa and Zambia. These two international friendlies will help us assess our current level. In terms of fitness, we know most of our players are not yet where they should be. In 2022, during your first appearance, Botswana reached the quarterfinals. What lessons have you taken from that experience? We learnt a great deal. It was a first for everyone the players, the technical staff, the federation. One key lesson was around how we handled conceding goals, and especially the mental preparation of the players, particularly when facing teams like Nigeria. You could sense even before kick-off that mentally, we weren't ready for them. Since then, we've grown. I believe we're better equipped now to compete without being overawed by the occasion. We've faced high-level teams. In the upcoming FIFA window, we'll play Zambia and South Africa. In the past, we've played Tunisia (who are in our group), Mali, Morocco, and even Russia. These matches have helped us progress, both in terms of our game and our results. There's another key difference: during our first campaign, we only did one fitness test before the tournament. This time, we're doing two. We did the ALIA physical evaluation in January, and we'll do another right before the competition to tailor the training for each player's needs. This time, Botswana is in Group B with Nigeria, Tunisia and Algeria. What's your take on this group? All the groups are tough in my opinion. There's no easy group. If you look at Group A, it's even more competitive because it includes the host nation. Group C has the defending champions. In Group B, like last time, we've got Nigeria again. Nigeria's playing style is very different from Algeria or Tunisia. The latter two are very tactical, whereas Nigeria combines physical power with tactical discipline. So, we've prepared to face both types of opponents. Now we need to find a way to qualify for the next round. Let's talk a bit about you. You were a journalist before becoming a coach. How has that past experience helped in your coaching career? It's helped a lot. I started out in radio as an analyst. Then I moved into print and TV, which gave me the chance to observe and analyse matches, systems, team dynamics... It gave me a broader perspective on football, beyond the emotion of the pitch. As a journalist, you learn to ask the right questions and see things others might miss. That's helped me develop a critical eye, which is valuable now in evaluating our performances, preparing for matches, and even managing the group. I believe that this unique journey is one of my strengths as a coach today. How do you work to build a bridge between youth categories and the senior national team? We rely mainly on our youth national teams. Over the past year, we've integrated several players from the U20 squad. It's harder with the U17s, because they still have their own camps and are mostly in school. Balancing school, junior competitions, and the senior team is tough for them. But with the U20s, many are no longer studying, which makes things easier. As soon as we spot promising talent, we do everything we can to bring them into the senior team. Even if they don't play much at first, they get to learn about the environment, the culture, and the expectations. It's all part of preparing for the future. In your view, what would constitute a successful TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON for Botswana? A successful campaign would be reaching at least the quarterfinals. From there, we can start dreaming about the semi-finals. But honestly, not making it out of the group stage would be a failure for us. The goal is clear: to get to the quarters at minimum. Do you think this tournament could be a steppingstone to more international recognition for your players? Absolutely I truly believe that. The difference between us and countries like South Africa is that most of their players are in professional leagues. Why? Because they regularly play in CAF competitions, FIFA tournaments and the Olympics. For us, this second WAFCON appearance is a golden opportunity. It puts our players on the radar of scouts and professional clubs. The more girls we have playing professionally, the stronger our national team becomes. This tournament offers real exposure. If we do well, as we hope to, it could open many doors for our players. Final question, coach. What message would you give to a young African girl who dreams of becoming a footballer? My message is simple: your dreams are valid. A young African girl can make it in football. The examples are there: Barbara Banda is shining at the highest level. The Chawinga sisters from Malawi are playing in top leagues. Across North and West Africa, many others are succeeding too. And to parents and society at large, I'd say: let's change the perception that football is only for men. Football is for everyone.
CAF
17 hours ago
- General
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON 2024: Democratic Republic of Congo Team Profile
Published: Wednesday, 04 June 2025 How the team qualified The DR Congo secured their spot by eliminating Equatorial Guinea in the second round of qualifiers. After a 1–1 draw in the first leg in Malabo, the Leopards sealed their qualification with a 2–1 win in the return leg in Kinshasa, booking their ticket to Morocco. TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON history This will be DR Congo's third appearance at the CAF TotalEnergies Women's AFCON finals, following previous editions in 1998 and 2006. Their best performance came in 1998, when they claimed third place. Players to watch Merveille KanjingaNicknamed 'The Cyborg,' the Congolese striker is a new signing for Paris Saint-Germain and has emerged as one of the most promising talents on the continent. Trained at TP Mazembe, she impresses with her power, speed, and ability to make penetrating runs. Dangerous in one-on-one situations, she combines explosiveness with composure in front of goal. Her 2025 move to PSG confirms her rapid rise and establishes her as one of DR Congo's standout stars for this tournament. Fideline NgoyGoalkeeper for Tout Puissant Mazembe, she brings strength and calmness to the Congolese defence. Her positioning, game reading, and top-level experience with one of the country's most structured clubs make her a key figure in the squad for this TotalEnergies WAFCON. The Head Coach: Herve Happy Originally from Cameroon, Hervé Happy is an experienced technician. He is currently serving as a technical advisor for the French Football Federation, assigned to the Paris League. A former player who came through the youth academy at Toulouse, he later played in the National league. He also worked as a physical education teacher in the French Caribbean. His coaching career spans over fifteen years, particularly in sports-study programs and as head coach of senior teams that participated in the Concacaf U15 and U20 competitions. He has also worked with the scouting departments of Olympique de Marseille and Montpellier in France. Having been with the FFF for ten years, Hervé Happy is now tasked with revitalising the Congolese women's national team, which is returning to the TotalEnergeis CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations after missing several editions. Ambitions and Group Analysis Placed in Group A alongside Morocco, Senegal, and Zambia, DR Congo head into this AFCON aiming to finally progress beyond the group stage. In such a highly competitive group, the Leopards will need strong defensive structure, clinical finishing, and true team cohesion to stand a chance of causing an upset. Under the leadership of Boumehdi, the team dreams of recapturing the form that earned them bronze in 1998 and rejoining the elite nations of African women's football.
CAF
2 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
Tunisian star Mariem Houij Dreams even bigger
Mariem Houij holds the record for the fastest goal in the history of the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (TotalEnergies) A quarterfinalist in 2022, she now aims to go even further in the competition She also discusses her role within the Carthage Eagles (Women's Team) If there were a single moment to sum up Mariem Houij's career, it would probably be this one: a sprint, a crisp strike, and a goal scored just 17 seconds into the game against Togo during the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations – the fastest goal in the tournament's history. That goal went viral and became a symbol of a player who constantly pushes her limits. At 30, the Tunisian striker is much more than a goal-scorer. She is a cornerstone, a role model, and an inspiration for a whole generation of young girls who dream of following in her footsteps. Since her debut with the national team, Mariem Houij has tirelessly represented the Carthage Eagles (Women's Team) with determination and passion. Eighteen years later, she's preparing for another TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON with a clear goal: to take Tunisia to the next level. Far from resting on her laurels, the player, who trained in Médenine and later played in Europe (notably in Turkey and France), continues to evolve her game while mentoring younger players, especially those from the diaspora. In this exclusive interview, Mariem Houij shares her most memorable moments, her ambitions for the next tournament, her deep connection to the national jersey, and her role in passing on knowledge. As soon as someone says "Mariem Houij", the first image that comes to mind is your lightning-fast goal – the fastest ever in the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON finals. Is this something people still talk to you about? Mariem Houij: That goal is undeniably a historic moment in my career and in the history of the WAFCON. People still talk to me about it today in Tunisia. It's always gratifying to see how much it impacted people. How do you feel approaching this upcoming TotalEnergies WAFCON?I'm training seriously, even though the national league season is over, because we'll be facing top-tier teams like Nigeria, Algeria, and Botswana. As a striker, I aim to contribute positively to the team's performance by scoring goals to raise the profile of our team and promote Tunisian women's football. What does it mean to you to wear the Tunisian jersey in such a prestigious competition? Wearing the Tunisian jersey has always been a childhood dream. I've been with the national team for a long time, and I still feel immense pride every time I'm called up. Competing in continental tournaments and scoring goals there is a real privilege. The feeling never gets old—it grows stronger each time. How did you prepare mentally and physically for the tournament?I've dedicated these past two months to optimal physical preparation. Mentally, just hearing the Tunisian national anthem is enough to fire me up. It gives me the energy and drive to represent our country with determination. Tunisia is in Group B with Nigeria, Algeria, and Botswana. What are your thoughts on this group? Nigeria is the most decorated team in the WAFCON. In the last edition, they were eliminated in the semifinals by host nation Morocco. We beat Botswana in a friendly last year in Tunis. As for Algeria, their playing style is similar to ours, and we've won both of our recent matches against them. That said, official matches are completely different from friendlies. Our coaching staff is analysing every opponent in detail to prepare us well. What are Tunisia's goals for this TotalEnergies WAFCON?We want to deliver a strong performance and reach the knockout stages. In the last edition, we made it past the group stage for the first time in 12 years before being knocked out by the defending champions, South Africa. That was a major step forward. Now, we aim to go even further and make our country proud. What do you see as the strengths of your team? It's hard to reveal specific strengths, but what really sets us apart is our unity, our teamwork, and the absence of ego. We're a cohesive group without a "star system" – and that's our biggest strength. What lessons did you take from the 2022 edition in Morocco?Many players from the current squad weren't there in 2022, but the team spirit remains the same. We're focused on improving our fitness because playing six matches in two weeks requires serious preparation. Our coaching staff plays a key role in refining our tactical approach. How do you see the evolution of women's football in Tunisia in recent years? The federation is giving more attention to women's football now. Today, 22 players in the national team play for professional clubs. Some of us, including me, started in Tunisia and then moved abroad, which shows how much progress has been made. Ten years ago, only two or three players were playing outside the country. That says a lot. As a senior player, do you feel a special responsibility toward younger players?Absolutely. I need to support them, especially those who have never lived in Tunisia or don't speak Arabic. It's essential to remind them of the meaning of our mission and the hopes we carry. This shared awareness pushes us to always give our best. What are your personal goals for this TotalEnergies WAFCON? I never approach a competition with a personal mindset. My goal is above all collective – to help our team shine. As a striker, of course I want to score, and I work hard at it. I'd love to replicate the historic goal I scored in the last edition and keep my status as top scorer, just like in the qualifiers where I scored six goals in four matches. Do you have a role model or a player who inspires you in your career? If so, why? Nowadays, the level in women's football is pretty balanced, but if I had to name one icon, it would be Marta Vieira da Silva. She's a huge inspiration for the whole women's football community because of her talent and longevity. What is your best memory with the national team? Without hesitation, my goal in the 2022 edition. It's etched in my memory. Achieving something like that in such a short time is a challenge in itself, and I'd love to experience that kind of moment again. If you could dream up the perfect scenario for this TotalEnergies WAFCON, what would it look like? The ideal scenario would be reaching the final. We have a strong, long-standing group that has been reinforced with new players due to the postponement of the 2024 edition to 2025. We're ready to take on the challenge and give Tunisia—and the entire continent—a memorable performance. What would you say to the young Mariem Houij who dreamed of becoming a professional footballer? I'd tell her to persevere, be patient, and never pay attention to discouraging words. Only hard work pays off. With courage and discipline, dreams are within reach.
CAF
6 days ago
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024 Match Schedule Announced
Published: Thursday, 29 May 2025 The Confédération Africaine de Football's ('CAF') has announced the match schedule of the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Morocco 2024 from 5-26 July, 2025. The opening match will be played on Saturday, 5 July 2025 between hosts Morocco and Zambia at the newly built Olympic Stadium in Rabat at 21h00 local time (20h00 GMT). On the following day, there will be three matches, including the most successful African Women's National Team, Nigeria, up against Tunisia at 17h00 local time. Defending champions South Africa begin their title defence on Match Day 3 (07 July), facing Ghana in a Group C opener at the Honneur Stadium in Oudja, while Mali and Tanzania will round off the day's fixtures with an exciting evening encounter in Berkane. The Final will be played on 26 July 2026 at 21h00 in Rabat at the Olympic Stadium. To view all of the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 fixtures, CLICK HERE for the Full Match Schedule. As seen across all CAF competitions over the last four years, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 is expected to build on the record-breaking success of its previous editions, with expectations to surpass past figures in stadium attendance, global broadcast viewership and engagement across digital platforms. In line with its world-class international broadcast standards, CAF will utilise state-of-the-art technology to deliver live, high-definition coverage of all 26 matches to a global audience through its various TV partners. In addition to the live coverage, fans are encouraged to engage with the exclusive behind the scenes content across CAF's digital platforms, using #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024. TOTALENERGIES WAFCON, MOROCCO 2024 GROUPS GROUP A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana GROUP C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania For more on the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, visit Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
CAF
27-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
CAF and Morocco LOC announce Match Venues for much-anticipated TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2024
The Confédération Africaine de Football's ('CAF') together with hosts, Morocco Local Organizing Committee have announced the match venues that will host TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations ('WAFCON'), Morocco 2024 from 05-26 July, 2025. Six venues will be used for the Competition – the first time more than three venues are used for the event. The venues are: Olympic Stadium (Rabat) Larbi Zaouli Stadium (Casablanca) Père Jégo Stadium (Casablanca) El Bachir Stadium (Mohammédia) Honor Stadium (Oujda) Berkane Stadium (Berkane) The Match Venues: The brand new Olympic Stadium in Rabat was constructed to host 21,000 fans and is a state-of-the-art venue near the historic Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. It will be one of the host stadiums for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025 that kicks-off in December. The Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca is currently the temporary home of Raja and Wydad Casablanca while their Mohammed V Stadium is being renovated ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025. It had its own renovations in 2019 and recently played host to matches at the TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations. The 10,000-seater Père Jégo Stadium, also in Casablanca, is named after former Morocco manager Père Jégo, who is considered one of the finest football tacticians in the country's history. He managed both Raja and Wydad Casablanca, as well as the Morocco national team. The El Bachir Stadium in Mohammédia was built in 1954 but renovated in 2019 and is home to local side SCC Mohammédia. The stadium hosted matches at the recent TotalEnergies CAF Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations, including the final. The Honor Stadium is Oujda has a capacity of 35,000 and has played host to several international matches of late, involving the Morocco national team or as a home venue for other nations to complete their international fixtures. Finally, the Berkane Stadium is the home venue of RS Berkane and has a capacity of 12,000. It received renovations in 2017 and has hosted both international fixtures and matches in CAF's Interclub competitions. As seen across all CAF competitions over the last four years, the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024 is expected to build on the record-breaking success of its previous editions, with expectations to surpass past figures in stadium attendance, global broadcast viewership and engagement across digital platforms. In addition to the live coverage, fans are encouraged to engage with the exclusive behind the scenes content across CAF's digital platforms, using #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024. TOTALENERGIES WAFCON, MOROCCO 2024 GROUPS GROUP A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo GROUP B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana GROUP C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania For more on the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON, Morocco 2024, visit -ENDS- Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
