After a first round of matches that saw heavyweights like Ghana fall, it is now time for the second and final qualifying round for the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022.
All eyes are on the Female national team of Togo which has come a step closer to securing a first-ever appearance at the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Coach Kaï Tomety and her charges are on a war footing. Never has the Sparrowhawks of Togo been so close to a qualification in the WAFCON finals. For the first time, Togo can reach the high mass of continental football among the ladies and the excitement is palpable. But the team must first overcome Gabon in a two-legged tie to be played on 17th and 23rd February, 2022.
In camp for a few days, the women’s national team of Togo is sharpening its weapons. The coach recalled her best players that are capable of sealing a historic qualification. Despite a lack of championship, Togo qualified brilliantly in the first round with a 5-0 win over Sao Tomé (first leg) before the island withdrew from the second leg.
The team relies in particular on a framework made up of players from the club Amis du Monde FC, the best women’s team in the country, but also on a contingent of 5 international players. Odette Gnimtema and Amira N’Djambara who play for Raja Ain Harrouda (Morocco), Bagnim Dialou from Racing Club de Saint Denis in France, Yaya Tekyatou from Ilkadim Belediyesi (Turkey) and Mafille Woedikou, striker from Yzeure Allier Auvergne in the French second division. Unfortunately for Tomety, the latter will not be able to play against Gabon due to a suspension for a red card.
The Panthers of Gabon, “not an extraordinary team”, commented the coach at a press conference. However, the Togolese technician does not hide that her team must always improve to overcome this opponent who eliminated Congo in the previous round. The double confrontation promises to be thrilling. Gabon also swear by a first qualification for the Women’s AFCON.
For several days, the Sparrowhawks ladies have been training to be ready for the D-Day. In a country where women’s football is still slow to take off, qualifying for the WAFCON could well be a game-changer. “We will do everything to snatch the qualification”, promises the coach.
The Queen Scorpions aim to emulate the Scorpions
The current format of the women Africa cup nations qualification will definitely see some notable debutants in Morocco this year.
The Gambia will be hoping to enjoy another party when its Queen Scorpions face African giants, Cameroon in the last qualifying round for this year’s TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Scorpions surprised the continent’s football gods when they qualified for their maiden AFCON in Cameroon where they reached the quarter-finals and Mariama Sowe’s charges want to taste the same experience as they build-up to their crucial match against the Lionesses of Cameroon.
“Cameroon is one of the best teams on the continent but football has changed”, Sowe said in an interview.
“If you reflect back on the recent AFCON in Cameroon, the Scorpions beat countries that nobody expected so this shows you that football has moved to another level”.
Mariama Sowe’
The Gambia is participating in the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for the second time in history and will be hoping to seal a historic qualification.
The first leg of matches is scheduled for February 16 to 18, 2022 and the return leg for February 21 to 23. Due to Kenya’s withdrawal, Uganda became the first team to officially join hosts Morocco for the final twelve-team tournament. Ten places remain to be filled.
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