AWCON 2022 Preview - Stars to Watch. the Favourites, the Contenders, the Dark Horses, the Giant Killers and the Underdogs

How things may shape up in Morocco

The die is cast and this edition of African Women's cup of nations promise to be exciting and lighten up not only the cities in Morocco, but fans around Africa and the world over. Here, we want to look at the various aspects: stars to watch, what make teams the favourites, contenders, the dark horses, the giant killers and the Underdogs.

Stars to Watch

1. Asisat Oshoala is the Superstar, when comes to African women football and one of the greats in the world today. Four time African women player of year, BBC player of the year and had led every clubside she ever played for to win titles. Despite injury that slowed her last season, she ended up scoring 20 goals to help Barcelona femine win the Spanish league and she won the Pinchichi Award for the highest goal scorer.

Surprisely, the current Super Falcons team is not built around Oshoala, there are other equally lethal attackers in the team such as the home girl, Gift Monday, Uchenna KANU, Tony Payne...these are some of the players to watch out for in this tournament.

2. Thembi Kglatlana: Unlike the Super Falcons, the Banana Banana built their team around Thembi Kglatlana, the Atletico Madrid star. The South African forward wasn't perhaps in her best form this season only scoring 6 goals and 3 assists in the Premiera League. It was Nigeria's Rasheedat Ajibade that turn out the top scorer for the spanish side.

But when it come to representing her country South Africa, Kglatlana is another woman all together.  She led Banana Banyana to win the maiden edition of Aisha Bukhari Cup in Lagos September 2021. Playing with the likes of Motlhalo, Gabrielle Salgado and Mamello Makhabane, Kglatlana is a delight to watch.

3. Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene: The 33 years old captain of Indomitable Lionesses is one player to watch her style of play from the wings and the way she inspire the Cameroonian ladies. 

Aboudi Onguene who is currently a player of CSKA Moscow women, may have been inactive for most of the season, because of the Russian/Ukraine War that stopped all Sporting activities in that region. However, she has been very impressive although the qualifiers.

The Favorites and Real Contenders

Having ruled Africa for a record nine times, Nigeria are outright favourites to win the 2022 Awcon. However, the likes of South Africa and Cameroon are understandably considered title contenders.

Reigning champions Super Falcons boast a formidable squad and many of the stars of the 2018 triumph - such as Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi, and Onome Ebi - are once again there. They will be joined by a clutch of youngsters like the Payne sisters, Uche KANU and Gift Monday, with Awcon 2022 providing the perfect platform. The Nigerian women are considered massive favourites to rule the continent for the 10th time.

Banyana Banyana

Five-time runners-up South Africa follow Nigeria and they will be hoping to end a 27-year wait for glory on the African stage in Morocco. Much of the focus when it came to Banyana Bayana in recent times has centred on Thembi Kglatlana, and the Atletico Madrid star justified that when she inspired her country to lift the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos.

Regardless, they know that their major opponent is the Nigerian women who have overpowered them in the final in the previous editions. With players such as Andile Dlamini, Refiloe Jane, and Jermaine Seoposenwe in their ranks, it is safe to state that Desiree Ellis’ team are well equipped to pose a serious challenge to the Super Falcons.

Indomitable Lionesses

African heavyweights Cameroon are always title contenders when it comes to winning the Africa Women Cup of Nations. Having placed second on four occasions, the Indomitable Lionesses’ embarrassment of losing all matches at the Aisha Buhari Cup, no less - is something that will not stand, and they will be aiming to correct that under the captainship of 33-year-old Gabrielle Aboudi Onguene

The Dark Horses - Other Contenders 

Atlas Lionesses

Although they are the tournament’s hosts, that is not a guarantee that the Atlas Lionesses will be crowned as African queens. Unlike a number of traditional African powerhouses, the North African have only appeared twice in the biennial African showpiece – crashing out of the group stage on both occasions.

Nevertheless, things could be very different in 2022, with the likes of Fatima Tagnaout, Imane Saoud and Nesryne El Chad expected to be among the new-look force in Reynald Pedros’ squad.

Copper Queens

Zambia are also considered outsiders and it may be felt that their quarter-final finish in 1995 was the high point of the Copper Queens’ Golden Generation.

Inspired by the attacking trio of Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, and Natasha Nanyangwe, the Zambian ladies could pull off surprises

The Giant Killers and the Underdogs

Crested Cranes of Uganda

There are no underdogs anymore in African women football, for every team deservely qualified for the tournament and can spring up surprises. You may never know with the Crested Cranes of Uganda may pose as giant Killers in this tournament, but nobody expect them to go all the way to win the trophy.

For teams like Swallows of Burundi and the Zebras of Botswana may just be delighted to compete at this level and an opportunity to learn from this experience.