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Discover 7 players set to lead their nations at the 2025 Women’s AFCON in Morocco, challenging South Africa’s title reign.
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco from July 5th to 26th, 2025.
Twelve teams will battle for the title currently held by South Africa.
Pulse Sports looks at seven players expected to shine and lead their nations to glory.
7. Hilda Magaia (South Africa)
The hero of the 2022 final, Hilda Magaia, is back. Her brace against Morocco (2-1) secured South Africa's victory.
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The Tijuana (Mexico) forward will be a key player for Banyana Banyana, alongside her attacking partner Jermaine Seoposenwe.
Recently recovered from injury, the 30-year-old is returning at the perfect time to help South Africa achieve a historic consecutive title.
6. Merveille Kanjinga (DR Congo)
A star for DR Congo, Merveille Kanjinga's profile soared after her high-profile transfer to PSG last February.
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Previously, she led her childhood club, TP Mazembe, to their first CAF Women's Champions League title.
Nicknamed "Cyborg" for her powerful attacking style and composure in front of goal, Kanjinga will spearhead DR Congo's return to the AWCON after a 12-year absence.
"We want to win the AWCON. The ambition is to go there and win as many matches as possible, including the title," she told RFI.
DR Congo will need Kanjinga at her best to navigate a tough group featuring Morocco, Zambia, and Senegal.
5. Agueicha Diarra (Mali)
Agueicha Diarra's transfer to Paris Saint-Germain in September 2024 was a landmark moment for Malian football.
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It was a well-deserved move for the forward who honed her skills with Super Lionnes d'Hamdallaye in Mali and then exploded onto the scene in Morocco, finishing as the league's top scorer with 24 goals.
Diarra will be playing in her third AWCON, having previously competed in 2016 and 2018.
She hopes to lead Mali, whose best finish in eight appearances is fourth place, to new heights. They face a challenging group that includes the defending champions, South Africa.
4. Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco)
The captain of the Atlas Lionesses hasn't forgotten the 2022 final loss to South Africa on home soil in Rabat. This time, Chebbak and her teammates have their sights set on lifting the trophy for the first time.
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"Our goal is to win the AWCON. We reached the final in the last edition, and this time, we have to work hard to win it," she told SNRT News.
The daughter of former Moroccan international Larbi Chebbak, a 1976 Africa Cup of Nations winner, scored in a friendly against Tanzania (4-0) a week before the tournament, signaling her intent.
3. Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria)
The legend is back to help Nigeria reclaim their dominance. The Super Falcons, with Oshoala at the helm, have won 11 AWCON titles in 14 editions and are determined to return to winning ways after relinquishing the cup in 2022.
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Nigeria will once again rely on Oshoala, a six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year (2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023) and three-time AWCON winner (2014, 2016, 2018). At 30, the former Arsenal and Barcelona player is far from finished writing her legacy.
A twelfth Nigerian title will likely depend on her performance.
2. Mama Diop (Senegal)
Senegal boasts Ndèye Awa Diakhaté, nicknamed "Neymar," the country's first-ever AWCON goalscorer in 2022.
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But they also have Mama Diop, a key forward for Olympique de Marseille, who dreams of replicating her club form for her country.
At 30, the former Lens player will be a driving force for the Lionesses as they aim for the semi-finals. "She has gained in maturity and technical ability, which allows her to participate in the build-up play.
She is a player who drops deep, creates space, and knows how to create opportunities for others," says her coach, Mame Moussa Cissé.
1. Racheal Kundananji (Zambia)
While less known than Barbra Banda, the African Women's Footballer of the Year and Zambia's captain, Racheal Kundananji enters this AWCON as a formidable weapon for the Copper Queens.
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Zambia is aiming for their first continental final after finishing third in 2022. Kundananji made headlines in February by becoming the biggest transfer in women's football, moving from Madrid CFF to the American club Bay FC for €735,000.
With the attacking duo of Kundananji and Banda, Zambia has a potent threat. Kundananji's first test comes in the opening match against Morocco.
WAFCON 2025 Groups
Group A: Morocco, Zambia, Senegal, DR Congo
Group B: Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, Botswana
Group C: South Africa, Ghana, Mali, Tanzania
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