What Is 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations was held in Ghana from November 17 to December 1, 2018, featuring 8 teams. Nigeria won their 11th title by defeating South Africa 4–3 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the final.

Key Facts

The tournament took place from November 17 to December 1, 2018, in Ghana
Eight national teams participated in the competition
Nigeria claimed their 11th WAFCON title by defeating South Africa in the final
Matches were played in two stadiums: Accra and Cape Coast
Banyana Bakers reached the final for the first time in their history

Overview

The 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was the 13th edition of the tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Hosted in Ghana, it marked the first time the country had staged the event since its inception in 1991. The competition served as a qualifier for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the top three teams earning spots in France.

This edition featured a restructured format, maintaining eight participating nations divided into two groups of four. The top two teams from each group advanced to the semifinals. The tournament showcased rising talent and growing competitiveness across African women’s football, with record attendance and increased media coverage.

Eight teams competed: Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, and Madagascar, marking Madagascar’s debut
The tournament ran from November 17 to December 1, 2018, spanning 15 days across two host cities
Matches were held at the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Cape Coast Stadium, both upgraded for the event
The final match drew over 20,000 spectators in Accra, reflecting growing interest in women’s football
Nigeria won their 11th title, extending their record as the most successful nation in WAFCON history

How It Works

The 2018 WAFCON followed a knockout-style format with group stages leading to semifinals and a final. Teams earned three points for a win and one for a draw, with tiebreakers based on goal difference and head-to-head results.

Group Stage: Teams played round-robin matches. The top two from each group advanced. Group A included hosts Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and Mali.
Knockout Rounds: The quarterfinals were eliminated; instead, semifinals followed group play directly, reducing total matches.
Final Match: Nigeria and South Africa tied 0–0 after extra time, with Nigeria winning 4–3 on penalties on December 1, 2018.
World Cup Qualification: The top three teams—Nigeria, South Africa, and Cameroon—qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
Player of the Tournament: Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria won the award, scoring five goals and leading her team’s offense.
Host Nation Performance: Ghana finished fourth after losing to Cameroon in the third-place match, failing to qualify for the World Cup.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key metrics from the 2018 WAFCON versus the previous 2016 edition:

Category	2018 WAFCON	2016 WAFCON
Host Country	Ghana	Cameroon
Number of Teams	8	8
Total Matches	15	15
Top Scorer	Asisat Oshoala (5 goals)	Gabrielle Onguéné (6 goals)
Attendance (Final)	~20,000	~10,000

The 2018 edition saw improved attendance and broader regional participation, highlighted by Madagascar’s debut. While the number of matches and teams remained consistent, fan engagement and broadcast reach expanded significantly. The CAF’s investment in marketing and infrastructure contributed to a more professional presentation, setting a new benchmark for future tournaments.

Why It Matters

The 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations was a pivotal moment for women’s football on the continent, both competitively and culturally. It elevated visibility for female athletes and demonstrated CAF’s commitment to developing the women’s game through structured competition and qualification pathways.

Nigeria’s victory reinforced their dominance, capturing their 11th title and qualifying for their seventh World Cup.
South Africa’s runner-up finish marked their best performance, signaling the rise of Banyana Bakers as continental contenders.
Cameroon’s third-place secured their World Cup berth and highlighted their consistent performance in recent editions.
The tournament provided global exposure for African players, with several earning contracts in European leagues post-tournament.
Host nation Ghana invested in stadium upgrades, promoting infrastructure development for women’s sports.
Increased media coverage and live broadcasts helped normalize women’s football in mainstream African sports culture.

The 2018 WAFCON laid the foundation for future expansion, including the 2022 edition that grew to 12 teams. It remains a critical platform for talent development, regional pride, and international qualification.