What Is 2020 Women's Africa Cup of Nations

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2020 Women's Africa Cup of Nations was held in July 2022 in Morocco due to postponement from the original 2020 schedule caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa won their first title by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final, ending Nigeria's record streak of seven previous tournament wins.

Key Facts

Tournament held in Morocco from July 2 to July 23, 2022, after being postponed from 2020
South Africa won their first WAFCON title by defeating Nigeria 2-1 in the final
Nigeria had previously won the tournament seven times consecutively
Eight teams competed in the final tournament stage
Banyana Bafana’s Thembi Kgatlana was the top scorer with 5 goals

Overview

The 2020 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, officially known as WAFCON, was the 14th edition of the biennial international women’s football championship organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Despite its name, the tournament was held in 2022 due to delays caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the original 2020 schedule.

Hosted in Morocco for the first time, the event marked a significant milestone in women’s football development across the continent. A total of eight teams qualified for the final tournament stage, competing in cities like Rabat and Casablanca. The competition served as both a continental championship and a qualifier for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Postponement: Originally scheduled for 2020, the tournament was delayed by two years due to the global health crisis and logistical challenges.
Host Nation: Morocco became the first North African country to host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, signaling regional growth in women’s sports.
Final Match: South Africa defeated Nigeria 2-1 in the final, held on July 23, 2022, at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Historic Win: This was South Africa’s first WAFCON title, breaking Nigeria’s dominance with seven previous championships since 1991.
World Cup Qualification: The top four teams—South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, and Mali—earned qualification to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

How It Works

The 2020 WAFCON followed a structured format from qualification to knockout stages, with CAF overseeing team selection, scheduling, and officiating. The tournament combined group play with direct elimination rounds to determine the champion and World Cup qualifiers.

Qualification: A total of 12 teams competed in regional qualifiers, with eight advancing to the final tournament based on continental rankings and performance.
Group Stage: The eight teams were divided into two groups of four, playing round-robin matches; the top two from each group advanced to the semifinals.
Knockout Format: The semifinals, third-place match, and final were single-elimination games, with extra time and penalties used if needed.
Refereeing: CAF appointed 12 female referees and assistant referees from across Africa to ensure fair play and gender inclusivity.
Player Eligibility: All participants had to be registered with their national football associations and meet CAF’s age and citizenship requirements.
Awards: Individual honors included the Golden Boot for top scorer, won by South Africa’s Thembi Kgatlana with 5 goals, and the Best Player award, given to Hellen Wasike of Kenya.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2020 WAFCON can be better understood by comparing it to previous editions in terms of host, winner, format, and global implications.

Year	Host Country	Champion	Runner-up	World Cup Qualifiers
2018	Ghana	Nigeria	South Africa	Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, Mali
2016	Cameroon	Nigeria	Cameroon	Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ivory Coast
2014	namibia	Nigeria	Cameroon	Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Ethiopia
2012	Equatorial Guinea	Equatorial Guinea	South Africa	Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, DR Congo, Mali
2022 (2020)	Morocco	South Africa	Nigeria	South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, Mali

This comparison highlights a shift in continental power, with South Africa finally overcoming Nigeria’s long-standing dominance. The 2022 edition also featured improved infrastructure and media coverage, reflecting CAF’s investment in women’s football.

Why It Matters

The 2020 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was a transformative event for women’s sports in Africa, both competitively and culturally. It provided a platform for visibility, investment, and development in women’s football across the continent.

Breaking Dominance: South Africa’s victory ended Nigeria’s 28-year reign as champions, signaling a more competitive regional landscape.
Global Representation: Four African teams qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, doubling the continent’s usual quota.
Increased Visibility: The tournament received broader media coverage than any previous edition, boosting fan engagement and sponsorship interest.
Player Development: Young stars like Banyana Bafana’s Linda Motlhalo gained international recognition, inspiring future generations.
Infrastructure Growth: Morocco’s hosting demonstrated North Africa’s capacity to support major women’s sporting events.
Policy Impact: Several national federations increased funding for women’s programs following the tournament’s success.

The 2020 WAFCON not only crowned a new champion but also set a precedent for gender equity and athletic excellence in African football.