While nations like Morocco have made significant strides, hosting the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and currently staging the 2024 edition, others are left behind in the development race.
Morocco’s success comes on the back of substantial investment. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has increased prize money for WAFCON, while the Moroccan government has poured resources into advancing women’s football and upgrading sporting facilities.
In Southern Africa, South Africa has become the frequent host of Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) tournaments. However, this raises concerns about why CAF and COSAFA have not prioritised rotating tournaments more broadly across the continent to enable other countries to improve their sports facilities through hosting opportunities.
Former Football Association of Zambia official, Simaata Simaata, has weighed in on the issue, providing insights into why many African nations struggle to secure hosting rights. He pointed to financial constraints, lack of political will, and inadequate infrastructure as major barriers preventing other countries from competing to host major tournaments.
--ChannelAfrica--