The Confederation of African Football (CAF) unveiled the brand-new Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) trophy on Wednesday in Casablanca, ahead of the tournament set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26. The new trophy stands as a powerful symbol of the growth and recognition of women's football across the African continent. Revealed during a ceremony held in partnership with sponsor TotalEnergies, the trophy was presented in the presence of iconic figures in African women's football, including players and coaches. Directly inspired by the men's AFCON trophy, the new WAFCON trophy goes beyond being a simple prize. According to CAF, it represents a celebration of equality, unity, and excellence. Its design features identical petals spiraling upward, each symbolizing a participating nation, forming the shape of a blooming flower. At its center is a golden sphere, subtly textured like a football and engraved with a gleaming map of Africa. CAF describes it as reflecting the ambition, pride, and growing global influence of African women's football. Made of polished silver and matte gold, the trophy's body is encircled by a golden ring engraved with the CAF logo, underscoring the Confederation's commitment to elevating the women's game across its 54 member associations. It stands on a white marble base with golden lines and the tournament name in gold lettering. Speaking at the unveiling, Moroccan coach Lamia Boumehdi, who leads the women's team of TP Mazembe, expressed her pride in attending the event. She hailed the «revolution» underway in African women's football in recent years. Winner of the last CAF Women's Champions League with the Congolese club, Boumehdi highlighted the rising interest in the women's game across the continent, as well as its growing technical, tactical, and physical levels. As for the upcoming WAFCON in Morocco, she expects the competition to be a success on all fronts, praising the Kingdom's high-quality infrastructure and its capacity to host major sporting events. The 2024 WAFCON will feature 12 teams across three groups. Hosts Morocco are in Group A alongside Zambia, Senegal, and DR Congo. Group B includes Nigeria, Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. Group C features South Africa, Ghana, Mali, and Tanzania.
