WAFCON 2025 Quarter Finals: Fixtures and Players to Watch Out for in Pidgin
Di 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), wey dem push to 2025, don reach di knockout stage, and e dey hot like pepper soup! Morocco, di host, dey welcome Africa’s best women football teams for dis 15th edition of di tournament, wey start on July 5 and go end on July 26. Afta di group stage wey end on Monday, July 14, eight teams don qualify for di quarter finals, and di matches go bring plenty action. Dis article go give you di full gist of di quarter final fixtures, plus di players wey you suppose watch out for, all in sweet Pidgin English!
Quarter Final Fixtures
Di quarter final matches go shele on Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19, across different stadiums for Morocco. Here na di fixtures dem:
– Friday, July 18:
– Nigeria vs Zambia (Casablanca, 16:00 GMT)
– Morocco vs Mali (Rabat, 19:00 GMT)
– Saturday, July 19:
– Algeria vs Ghana (Berkane, 16:00 GMT)
– South Africa vs Senegal (Oujda, 19:00 GMT)
Dis matches na do-or-die, as di winners go move to di semi-finals, while di losers go pack dia bags comot. Now, make we yarn about di players wey fit steal di show for dis stage.
Players to Watch Out For:
1. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)
Di Super Falcons of Nigeria na di big dogs for African women’s football, with nine WAFCON titles. Asisat Oshoala, six-time CAF Women’s Player of di Year, na di engine room of dia attack. Her speed, power, and sharp finishing make her a nightmare for defenders. Even though some dey talk say her best days don pass, Oshoala dey hungry to prove dem wrong and lead Nigeria to dia 10th title. For di group stage, she don show say she still get fire, and against Zambia, she go dey ready to scatter dia defense.
2. Barbra Banda (Zambia)
Zambia’s Copper Queens get one of di most dangerous strikers for di world, Barbra Banda. Dis Orlando Pride forward, wey be di reigning Women’s African Footballer of di Year, miss di 2022 WAFCON but now she dey back with full force. She score four goals for di 2024 Olympics, and her partnership with Racheal Kundananji dey cause wahala for any defense. For di quarter final against Nigeria, Banda go be di one to watch, as she fit turn di game with one moment of magic.
3. Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco)
Di Atlas Lionesses of Morocco dey play for home soil, and captain Ghizlane Chebbak na dia star. She be di top scorer for WAFCON 2022 with three goals, and her leadership and goal-scoring touch dey key for Morocco’s dream to win dia first title. With coach Jorge Vilda, wey win World Cup with Spain, Chebbak go dey fire up to lead her team past Mali. Expect her to dey everywhere for di pitch, creating chances and scoring from distance.
4. Jermaine Seoposenwe (South Africa)
South Africa, di defending champions, dey come with plenty confidence, even though dem no get star striker Thembi Kgatlana for dis tournament. Jermaine Seoposenwe, who dey play for Monterrey in Mexico, don step up big time. She score 12 goals for her club last season, and her speed and finishing go be crucial against Senegal’s tight defense. Banyana Banyana wan keep dia crown, and Seoposenwe go dey at di heart of dia attack.
5. Ghoutia Karchouni (Algeria)
Algeria don make history by reaching di knockout stage for di first time, thanks to dia solid defense and Ghoutia Karchouni’s lone goal against Botswana. Dis midfielder get eye for goal and dey control di tempo of di game. Against Ghana, her ability to hold di midfield and create chances go be key for Algeria to continue dia fairytale run.
6. Mame Fatma Diagne (Senegal)
Senegal dey bring strong defense to di table, and goalkeeper Mame Fatma Diagne na di backbone. Her saves and commanding presence for goal don help Senegal reach di quarter finals. Against South Africa, she go need to be at her best to stop di likes of Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia, who share di 2022 golden boot.
7. Doris Boaduwaa (Ghana)
Ghana’s Black Queens dey make dia return to di knockout stage, and Doris Boaduwaa na one player wey fit shine. Dis forward get pace and flair, and her ability to take on defenders go test Algeria’s backline. Ghana never win WAFCON, but with players like Boaduwaa, dem fit pull off an upset.
8. Aminata Diabaté (Mali)
Mali dey face tough challenge against hosts Morocco, but Aminata Diabaté, a versatile midfielder, fit cause wahala. Her work rate and ability to break up play go be crucial if Mali wan pull off a shock. She dey hungry to make her mark for dis tournament.
Final Thoughts
Di WAFCON 2025 quarter finals go be fire! Nigeria vs Zambia na blockbuster, with Oshoala and Banda ready to battle. Morocco go lean on home support and Chebbak’s magic, while South Africa’s Seoposenwe go try keep dia title defense alive. Algeria’s Karchouni, Senegal’s Diagne, Ghana’s Boaduwaa, and Mali’s Diabaté go also bring dia A-game. Make you no miss dis matches, as di road to di final go dey full of drama and goals!