The stakes have been raised at the ongoing Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as the competition enters its knockout stages this weekend. Four of the initial twelve teams have been eliminated, following a competitive round of matches in the group stage that produced an average of two-and-a-half goals per match.

Only one of the eight teams in the quarterfinals has never made it to this stage of the tournament: Algeria put up a resolute fight to make it past the group stage for the first time ever, winning Botswana by a lone goal in its only win so far, while forcing goalless draws in the other two matches. Six of the other seven teams have advanced to the final four of the competition, with Senegal hoping to move at least one step from their last WAFCON outing.

Below are brief primers for all four quarterfinal matches.

Nigeria vs Zambia (July 18, 6 PM GMT)

A rematch of last edition’s third-place match, the quarterfinal between Nigeria and Zambia will be a battle of wills. Nigeria’s Super Falcons are one of two teams that haven’t conceded a goal at WAFCON 2024, while the Copper Queens boast two of the most prolific strikers in African women’s football, Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji – both have scored three goals each already.

Nigeria qualified at the top of its group, as expected, and will aim to leverage its defensive solidity and cohesion to get into the final four. Zambia came second in Group A after scoring one goal less than hosts Morocco. Still, they’ve already distinguished themselves as top-tier contenders and will be keen on beating out an opponent they edged out back in 2022.

Morocco vs Mali (July 18, 9 PM GMT)

Hosts Morocco played through the group stage with a mix of poise, force, and discipline, earning the top spot in its group. The Atlas Lionesses are led by joint top scorer Ghizlane Chebbak, who has already scored four goals, one more than her total tally at the last WAFCON, where she was joint top scorer and voted the competition’s best player. Chebbak, like her team, has only improved in the years since, and Morocco will be the favorites to advance.

However, Mali will be looking to cause an upset, following a disappointing end to its group stage run. The female eagles were overrun 4-0 by South Africa, a result that dropped the Female Eagles to third in their group. In their first two matches, though, they showed toughness, earning a lone goal win against Tanzania and coming back to secure a 1-1 draw against Ghana. Facing the hosts and perhaps tournament favorites will be an uphill battle; expect Mali not to back down from the challenge.

Algeria vs Ghana (July 19, 6 PM GMT)

Although they only scored one goal in all three group stage matches, Algeria’s Fennecs have made scoring against them as hard as a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Meanwhile, the Black Queens of Ghana finally found the scoring punch in their final group stage game, putting four goals past Tanzania.

The contrasts between the two sides could play a key role, also taking into account their incredibly differing histories: this is Algeria’s quarterfinals debut, while the Black Queens have been WAFCON runners-up on three different occasions but haven’t reached the semifinals since 2016. One country will be looking to fight through novelty, while the other will want to reassert its slipping mettle as a force in African women’s football.

South Africa vs Senegal (July 19, 9 PM GMT)

Defending champions South Africa were on the verge of a flawless group stage run, having won two matches and drawn the other. All seven goals were scored by seven different players, encapsulating the collective attacking threat of Bayana Banyana. However, their defense will have to account for Nguenar Ndiaye, the Senegalese striker who has already scored four goals at WAFCON 2024. For the Teranga Lionesses to pull off a great upset, Ndiaye will most likely need to be at her best against a defense that has conceded one goal, while Senegal’s defense must keep a muzzle on the multitude of weapons South Africa has in its ranks.

Whether or not Al Ahly, Wydad, Espérance, or Sundowns lift the trophy, their participation matters, for themselves and for those who will take part in future editions of the Club World Cup.

By Tuka Letura 

This weekend marks the transformation of what was once a niche mid-season football contest. featuring just seven teams, each from FIFA’s six continental confederations and the host nation, into one of the most ambitious undertakings in global sport: the reimagined FIFA Club World Cup. With 32 elite football clubs competing across 11 U.S. cities, the tournament will span over a month, from 15 June to the final at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium on 13 July.

The 2025 tournament marks the first full-scale iteration of FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup: eight groups of four teams, a round of 16, and a $1 billion prize pool. Top clubs from six confederations converge not just for trophies, but for prestige, revenue, and brand elevation.

A club reaching the final can earn up to $125 million, an amount that dwarfs the annual budgets of most African teams. Even participating clubs will receive nearly $10 million in appearance fees. For the Confederation of African Football’s four representatives, this is not merely about footballing ability—it is a transformational opportunity for both financial growth and global visibility.

Yet, alongside the excitement, there are concerns. The tournament falls within an already congested June–July window, clashing with domestic calendars and off-season recovery periods. Global players’ union FIFPRO has warned of burnout, particularly for clubs with thinner squads and demanding travel schedules. For African sides, many of whom compete in grueling local and continental fixtures year-round, maintaining this level of intensity presents a significant challenge.

CAF has been allocated four slots at the Club World Cup, determined through a system that rewards both short-term excellence and long-term consistency. These slots were awarded based on two key criteria: winning the CAF Champions League during the qualification period (2021–2024), and ranking among the highest in CAF’s four-year club performance system, which reflects sustained success in continental competitions.

• Al Ahly (Egypt) secured their place by winning the 2020–21 CAF Champions League. Widely regarded as Africa’s most decorated club, Al Ahly continues to set the standard for excellence on the continent.
• Wydad AC (Morocco) followed as the 2021–22 Champions League winner, earning a deserved spot among Africa’s elite.
• Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia) earned qualification through the CAF club ranking system, emerging as the highest-ranked club not to have won the Champions League during the qualification window.
• Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) completed the lineup, claiming the final slot based on their consistent performance across multiple seasons as reflected in CAF’s four-year performance index.

THE GROUPS 

Al Ahly – Group A

Opponents: Inter Miami (USA), Palmeiras (Brazil), FC Porto (Portugal)

Al Ahly enters Group A with a blend of historic prestige and pragmatic discipline. Their alternating 4-3-3/4‑2‑3‑1 setup is built around midfield control and swift transitions, marshaled by the likes of Emam Ashour, Percy Tau, and Hussein El Shahat, and steered by Spanish coach José Riveiro.

They face three stylistically diverse teams from across three continents. 

• Inter Miami, representing American flair and star-driven football (and possibly Messi-led finesse),
• Palmeiras, a technically robust and high-intensity Brazilian side, and
• FC Porto, masters of tactical precision and European tempo.

In this melting pot, the four-time bronze medalist in the competition must lean on their FIFA Club World Cup experience and adaptability. Every match will demand a little more than it did in previous editions if they wish to progress. Their chances are evenly balanced as the top two progress into the knockouts. 

Espérance de Tunis – Group D

Opponents: Chelsea (England), Flamengo (Brazil), Los Angeles FC (USA)

Espérance relies on the tactical ability of Maher Kanzari, who tweaks his side into a 4‑3‑3 or 3-4-3 primarily, to match the opposition. They love to control games with smart possession play. Their group presents both European might and South American flair:

• Chelsea brings pace, pressing, and depth from the Premier League, and on the back of their UEFA Conference League win, are favourites in the group. 
• Flamengo, who nicked two titles this season, will also fancy their chances as they will bank on their previous Club World Cup experience, when they were runners-up in 2019
• LAFC are currently one of the most in-form American sides and could make progression more difficult for Espérance.

To survive, Espérance must dictate rhythm, suffocate chaos with structure, and capitalize on narrow openings. Their key strength, defence, will be tested to its limit.

Mamelodi Sundowns – Group F

Opponents: Borussia Dortmund (Germany), Fluminense (Brazil), Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea)

Sundowns’ nickname, “The Brazilians”, says it all. Their style is fluid, expressive, and possession-based, built around players like Lucas Ribeiro and Teboho Mokoena. Their tactics echo South American rhythm, with strong technical and positional awareness, but they will be facing that as well. 

• Dortmund presses with high energy and youthful verve,
• Fluminense, their stylistic cousin, plays a refined, tactical version of the jogo bonito.
• Ulsan Hyundai brings Asian structure and efficiency, likely to challenge Sundowns’ space usage.

This group offers philosophical duels, especially the poetic clash with Fluminense. Sundowns’ strength will be in embracing their identity while adapting to opponents’ discipline. It’s not the easiest, but Sundowns possess enough to progress. 

Wydad AC – Group G

Opponents: Manchester City (England), Juventus (Italy), Al Ain (UAE)

Wydad Casablanca faces a daunting challenge in what may be the toughest group for any African team at the Club World Cup. They are up against two European giants: Manchester City and Juventus. To have any hope of progressing, they will need to play with clear intent and make the most of every match. Realistically, their chances of advancing are slim, but in football, surprises do happen.

• Manchester City, arguably the world’s best side, demands defensive perfection,
• Juventus, tactically mature and transition-savvy, will punish positional slips,
• Al Ain, while more beatable, is a familiar regional foe with strong support and tactical savvy.

Wydad’s path is narrow, but with tactical flexibility and mental resilience, they can grind out results.
This tournament isn’t just about pride; it’s about structure, reform, and sustainability from an African football perspective. A group-stage exit still yields millions in participation funds, but a Round-of-16 berth doubles both revenue and exposure. For clubs whose annual budgets sometimes fall below $5 million, this is era-defining.

For national leagues and CAF itself, the Club World Cup serves as a proof of concept: can African clubs compete commercially and tactically on a global stage? Knockout qualification would signal progress. Even if that target is missed, strong performances and individual showcases could boost domestic visibility and global transfer potential.

Still, some caution against short-term thinking. The chances of going all the way remain—and that’s the least anyone should expect from the continent’s elite football clubs.

Whether or not Al Ahly, Wydad, Espérance, or Sundowns lift the trophy, their participation matters, for themselves and for those who will take part in future editions of the Club World Cup.

Match schedule and updates are available on FIFA’s Official Website here.

Tuka Letura is an experienced sports writer with over six years of experience in the craft. He uses data and statistics to provide analysis and commentary. From regional to worldwide competitions, he has covered a wide range of sports-related events and topics. He is devoted to sharing his enthusiasm for sports with his audience and engaging them with interesting anecdotes and viewpoints.

Cover photo credit: SuperSport

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This expanded partnership follows TECNO’s successful involvement in the 2023 edition of the tournament, where it served as the exclusive smartphone sponsor.

By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro

Smartphone giant, TECNO, has announced a significant deepening of its partnership with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), becoming the Official Global Partner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2025, and Kenya–Uganda–Tanzania 2027.

This expanded partnership follows TECNO’s successful involvement in the 2023 edition of the tournament, where it served as the exclusive smartphone sponsor. The renewed collaboration underscores TECNO’s commitment to bringing its bold “Stop at Nothing” spirit to millions of African football fans over the coming years.

As Official Global Partner, Official Smartphone, and Exclusive Partner in the Smartphone category, TECNO is set to amplify its brand presence and deepen its engagement with young audiences across the continent. 

Benjamin Jiang, Vice President of Transsion Holdings, expressed the brand’s enthusiasm: “This renewed partnership is a testament to the deep trust and shared success we’ve built with CAF. In our previous collaboration, we witnessed how football ignited passion and inspired dreams, and how AI-powered smart technologies became powerful tools to connect and empower millions across Africa. That’s why this partnership goes beyond the game—it stands as a symbol of ambition and a platform where young people can shine, united by an unstoppable spirit of progress. It reflects our shared vision of harnessing AI-driven innovation to shape a brighter future for Africa”.

In line with its social impact agenda, TECNO will also continue its “Dream on the Field Renovation Campaign” in cooperation with CAF. Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to enhance youth engagement by renovating football fields in underserved communities, providing improved access to quality sporting facilities, and nurturing talent at the grassroots level.

CAF General Secretary, Véron Mosengo-Omba, welcomed the continued collaboration: “TECNO’s long standing support for football in Africa has had a meaningful impact on the development of the sport. As the highest-profile football tournament on the continent, the Africa Cup of Nations symbolises passion and the achievement of life-long dreams, resonating with young people’s hope for the future and spirit of exploration. Deepening this partnership will help to ensure that AFCON 2025 and 2027 reach new heights of excitement to delight football fans”.

The partnership marks a milestone in TECNO’s ongoing effort to connect with the younger generation and empower them to realise new possibilities. It further solidifies the brand’s standing as a technology leader across Africa, known for its advanced imaging technology, strong product performance, and cutting-edge design.

The post TECNO Named Official Global Partner for AFCON 2025 and 2027 first appeared on Afrocritik.