What Is 2022 CAF Women's Champions League

Overview

The 2022 CAF Women's Champions League marked the second edition of the Confederation of African Football’s flagship women's club competition. Building on the inaugural 2021 tournament, it expanded visibility and competitive structure for women's football across the continent.

Hosted in Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco, the 2022 edition featured eight elite club teams representing regional zones across Africa. The tournament ran from October 30 to November 13, culminating in a decisive final that highlighted the growing strength of North African women's football.

• AS FAR became the first North African team to win the title, defeating South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns 4–0 in the final on November 13.
• The competition was hosted entirely in Morocco, with matches played at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and Stade Moulay Hassan.
• Eight teams participated, qualifying through six regional zones: CECAFA, COSAFA, UNAF, WAFU-A, WAFU-B, and CAF’s direct invite system.
• Each team played in a group stage format, with the top two from each group advancing to the semifinals in a knockout structure.
• The tournament saw increased investment and media coverage, with CAF broadcasting matches live across Africa and via YouTube.

How It Works

The CAF Women's Champions League operates through a qualification and final tournament structure designed to include top women's clubs from across Africa. Regional zones organize preliminary tournaments to determine which clubs represent their areas in the final CAF stage.

• Qualification Zones: Six regional federations—CECAFA, COSAFA, UNAF, WAFU-A, WAFU-B, and CAF—each send one or two teams based on performance. This ensures continental representation and competitive balance.
• Host Nation: The host country automatically qualifies a team, as seen with Morocco's AS FAR in 2022, regardless of regional performance.
• Group Stage: The eight teams are divided into two groups of four; each plays round-robin matches, with the top two from each group advancing.
• Knockout Stage: The semifinals and final are single-elimination matches, with extra time and penalties used if needed to determine a winner.
• Player Eligibility: Players must be registered with their national association and meet CAF’s age and amateur/professional status rules, ensuring fair competition.
• Prize Money: The 2022 tournament offered a total of $400,000 in prize money, with the winner receiving $150,000, a significant increase from 2021.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2021 and 2022 CAF Women's Champions League editions:

The 2022 edition improved upon the inaugural tournament with better infrastructure, increased prize money, and broader regional participation. While the final scoreline mirrored 2021, the competitive depth grew, with teams from Central and West Africa showing stronger performances.

Why It Matters

The 2022 CAF Women's Champions League is a milestone in the development of women's football in Africa, providing a platform for visibility, investment, and talent development. Its continued growth signals CAF’s commitment to gender equity in football.

• Professional Pathways: The tournament offers African female players a chance to showcase skills, potentially earning contracts abroad or with professional clubs at home.
• Increased Visibility: With live broadcasts and social media coverage, the 2022 event reached millions, raising awareness of women's football across the continent.
• Investment Growth: Clubs are investing more in women’s teams, inspired by prize money and sponsorship opportunities tied to CAF competitions.
• Youth Inspiration: Young girls across Africa see professional role models, encouraging greater participation in grassroots football programs.
• Regional Development: The zonal qualification system promotes competitive standards in underrepresented regions like CECAFA and UNAF.
• Global Alignment: The structure mirrors UEFA’s Women’s Champions League, helping African clubs adapt to international standards and potential intercontinental play.

As CAF plans future editions, including expanded formats and possible intercontinental tournaments, the 2022 Women's Champions League stands as a foundational step toward sustainable women's football in Africa.