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Women's AFCON dates, schedule, news - Everything you need to know about WAFCON

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How Nigeria got the best out of Esther Okoronkwo to demolish Zambia (1:31)

Ed Dove thinks Nigeria have unlocked the potential of one of Africa's best attacking players as Esther Okoronkwo shines in Nigeria's big win over Zambia. (1:31)

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (WAFCON) takes place in Morocco from July 5 to 26, and will feature 12 teams from across the continent, including defending champions South Africa.

ESPN has everything you need to know about Africa's top women's tournament, which also features stars from the NWSL in the United States, and players from across Europe and South America.

Teams: Algeria, Botswana, DR Congo, Ghana, Mali, Morocco (host), Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa (holders), Tanzania, Tunisia, and Zambia.

Full fixtures

Reports

Nigeria keep Mission X on track with late win over Banyana

Morocco beat Ghana on penalties to reach WAFCON final

South Africa need penalties to get past Senegal into semis

Banda, Kundananji no match for Super Falcons in quarterfinals

Wasteful Nigeria to face Zambia in WAFCON quarter-finals

Banyana smash Mali to reach WAFCON quarterfinals

Racheal Kundananji fires Zambia into WAFCON knockouts

Zambia draw with Morocco despite Banda, Kundananji goals

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Dove reflects on 'frustrating' WAFCON exit for Banda & Kundananji

Ed Dove reacts to Zambia's 5-0 defeat to Nigeria and a Women's AFCON quarterfinal exit for NWSL stars Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.

News

Alozie hopes WAFCON sees more NWSL chances for players

Coach Ellis 'was a mother' for Banyana players after injury

South Africa's Salgado stretchered off with serious injury

Zambia coach Hauptle - 'Fist to the face' losing to Nigeria

South Africa squad without striker Kgatlana for WAFCON

Spirit's Monday - Nigeria snub a 'tough pill to swallow'

Nigeria recall Asisat Oshoala for WAFCON, but Gift Monday omitted

Madugu frustrated by Nigeria WAFCON prep interruption

Super Falcons treating Cameroon friendlies as WAFCON fuel

Oshoala - African players raise the bar in NWSL

Kgatlana - Banyana have WAFCON target on our backs

Kundananji backs striker-heavy Zambia to win WAFCON

Features

'We're not worried' - Super Falcons laugh off Mission X pressure

This Super Falcons side are on the brink of Women's Africa Cup of Nations history... although you wouldn't know it speaking to the Nigeria players, who are staunchly refuting all talk of last-minute nerves.

Nigeria, chasing Mission X, have been the best team at WAFCON despite sluggish start

Nigeria have looked the best team at this tournament by a long way, and, unless they self-implode spectacularly, it is hard to see Morocco, who beat Ghana 4-2 on penalties after they finished 1-1 in regulation and extra time, preventing them from fulfilling "Mission X".

Banyana's Ronnel Donnelly a rare breakout star at this Women's AFCON

In a Women's Africa Cup of Nations where the big names have largely dominated proceedings, breakout stars have been relatively few and far between, with South Africa's Ronnel Donnelly one notable exception.

Texas-raised Okoronkwo emerging as Nigeria's WAFCON talisman

Nigeria had been struggling for inspiration before Esther Okoronkwo starred in the Super Falcons' WAFCON quarterfinals demolition of Zambia. What can she do against South Africa?

'It's like a Chiefs-Pirates derby' - Nigeria vs SA promises to be a thriller

Nigeria's deep history in the tournament will collide with South Africa's recent surging momentum when both sides meet in the semifinal of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Tuesday.

Hard to see anyone, let alone Banyana, stopping Nigeria

Nigeria flexed their title ambitions with a dominant 5-0 rout of Zambia, while reigning champions South Africa toiled against a Senegal side that will surely regret an opportunity missed during this weekend's Women's Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals.

Super Falcons fueled by 'disrespect' to reach WAFCON semis

Ahead of this game, all the talk was about the deadly duo of Banda and Racheal Kundananji, and their ability to wreck the Nigerian defence. Zambia coach Nora Hauptle's talk of "going hunting" against Nigeria also left the nine-time champions bristling, Super Falcons coach Justin Madugu said.

Banyana, beware! Senegal pose heavy threat in quarters

With Nigeria defeating fan-favourites Zambia in a disappointingly (for Non-Nigerian football fans) one-sided affair on Friday, South Africa will be extra eager to see off Senegal convincingly on Saturday.

Nigeria hopeful they have answers to Bandananji challenge

Nigeria are doing their best not to focus on Zambia's star duo of Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji ahead of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) quarterfinal at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Friday.

Banda stating her case for Ballon d'Or with star showing at WAFCON

African Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda was made to wait to make her mark on the Women's Africa Cup of Nations -- the top tournament for women's national teams on the continent -- but she has made up for lost time.

WAFCON group stage review: Few surprises, Bandananji showcase

The four favourites -- Nigeria, Morocco, Zambia and South Africa -- progressed to the knockouts without defeat, although they didn't have things all their own way during the opening exchanges.

Mission X - Inside Nigeria's master plan to win a 10th WAFCON title

After disappointment of not only failing to win the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2022, but finishing tied for their worst ever performance (4th), Nigeria have returned to Morocco on a mission to win their 10th WAFCON title.

Ranking all 12 Women's AFCON teams... And number 1 may surprise you

From defending champions South Africa to the most successful side in the tournament's history -- Nigeria -- there are contenders aplenty across a well stocked field at the Women's AFCON this month.

Bay FC's Kundananji confident Zambia can upset WAFCON hierarchy

Bay FC forward Racheal Kundananji told ESPN that Zambia will shake up the established order at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, breaking the stranglehold of Nigeria and defending champions South Africa.

Can Banyana overcome off-field drama to defend WAFCON title?

South Africa's preparation for their Women's Africa Cup of Nations defence in Morocco has been hampered by off-field issues, but two former players have backed them to overcome their difficulties.

Ranking the 10 NWSL and English WSL players at WAFCON

From superstars like Orlando Pride's Barbra Banda, to Gotham FC teen rookie Stella Nwamekye, here are 10 players at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations that will be familiar to NWSL and English Women's Super League fans.

Nigeria's Super Falcons in full flight heading into Women's AFCON

With the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco (July 5-26) around the corner, there have been some standout performers in the warm-up games, with Nigeria's Rasheedat Ajibade, now a free agent, topping the rankings.

The Chawinga sisters won't be at WAFCON, but there are plenty others to watch

Malawi failed to qualify for the WAFCON, failing to field a team for qualifiers due to financial constraints at the Football Association of Malawi (FAM).

Chiamaka Nnadzie will be critical to Nigeria's chances

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was in sparkling form to help Nigeria's Super Falcons held Portugal to 0-0 draw on Monday in Lisbon, as their preparations for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournament gathers pace.

Zambia's Kundananji says charity work will be her real legacy

Bay FC and Zambia forward Racheal Kundananji has shot to soccer stardom, but she wants to be remembered for her foundation's work improving lives in her home country -- combatting issues like addiction, HIV/AIDS and teen pregnancy.

Banyana's Thembi Kgatlana living it up in Mexico's Liga MX Femenil

Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana is in fine form for Tigres UANL in Liga MX Femenil and the 28-year-old is not surprised by the success she and other African players have found in Mexico and the NWSL.