WAFCON Celebrate Women’s Football At The Finals In Rabat

It’s been another phenomenal year for women’s international football.

Chloe Kelly and the Lionesses did the unthinkable this weekend when they pulled off a three-part victory that their male counterparts could only dream of: 1) they beat Spain 2) at penalties 3) to win the second consecutive European Championship.

For those following the team, it was historic and euphoric, but the Lionesses’ victories, and indeed the highs and lows of women’s football in general, pass through the collective consciousness all too quickly. The men’s successes are deservedly celebrated by seemingly the entire country, becoming genuine water-cooler moments that are remembered for years to come, but why can the same not be said of the women’s?

It’s an issue WAFCON (Women's Africa Cup of Nations), in partnership with Sure Deodorant, are looking to correct. Frustratingly, the 2024 WAFCON—delayed to this summer due to the Paris Olympics last year—ended up clashing with the women’s Euros, but the intense clash between Nigerian side The Super Falcons and hosts Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, offered even more proof of how exhilarating international women’s football can be.

Coming back from 2-0 at half time, Nigeria ended up clinching their 10th WAFCON title in Rabat on Saturday. Although attendance is still an issue, WAFCON in its current biennial form has only existed since 1998 and it already has plenty of diehard fans. For the WAFCON final, a selection of football lovers, collectives and storytellers visited Rabat, courtesy of Sure Deodorant, to soak up the atmosphere and capture the on-pitch action.

According to freelance journalist Kesewaa Brown Owusu Awuah, who hosts a footie radio show on Riverside Radio, it was “a final to remember! The Olympique Rabat stadium roared as there was more than silverware at stake, but a battle for legacy. With the home nation hoping to avenge their loss in the 2022 final, and Nigeria keen to cement themselves as the queens of Africa for the 10th time.

“From the grit on the pitch to the emotion in the stands, this final was a vivid snapshot of how far the women’s game has come in the continent, and how far it’s ready to go. The thousands of fans in the stands showed their love and devotion to the beautiful game. Little girls were on their father’s backs chanting and shouting served as a reminder that it was more than football—it was community and history in motion. Moments like these don’t just make history: they shape the future.”

Nalishebo Simukulwa—a writer who also runs Hot Grls Watch Sports, a newsletter dedicated to cultural commentary in women’s sports—added: “As a British Zambian, seeing WAFCON get the recognition, support and investment it deserves fills me with pride. The success of female footballers in Africa has a profound impact on how women are perceived in regions across the continent, raising aspirations for girls and building paths to future success. I am excited to document the tournament in this pivotal stage of its growth.”

Coach Iqra, an award-winning football personality and pioneer, is only 25 but she’s been on the ground for years, working to inspire young African and Muslim women to take up the sport. She’s already captained the Somalia national team, been honoured by Forbes 30 Under 30, and holds the title for youngest-ever winner of a Blacklist Award. Few are more aware than she of the challenges facing WAFCON, but she sees plenty of reason to be optimistic for the future.

“As an African woman myself, WAFCON is a beautiful representation of the skill, class and strength of our communities,” she says. “It’s a unique environment that showcases a side of football that many don’t see. I am so excited to be here for the first time to immerse myself in the experience! WAFCON had a vibe like nothing I’ve ever seen. So grateful to be here with Sure, celebrating these amazing players and African football. The energy of this tournament goes so far beyond the pitch, and women’s football in Africa deserves all the love and more. This is just the start!”