By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women’s Football Journalist
Super Falcons of Nigeria
With 21 countries through to the second round of the TotalEnergies African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) Morocco 2022 qualifiers, the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) has picked February 14, St. Valentine’s Day (better known as Lovers Day), for the first leg of the final round matches of now expanded biennial Africa’s women’s football fiesta.
Only Algeria versus Sudan’s return leg match is outstanding as CAF said that the initial tie scheduled for October 26 at Al Hilal Stadium in Omdurman which would have been officiated by referee Suzana Semere from Eritrea, was postponed to a later date due to security concerns following the October 2021 Sudanese coup d’état.
Free-scoring Female Elephants of Ivory Coast are Super Falcons next opponents in the winner takes all clash.
But the waiting is a mere academic exercise as Algeria whitewashed the Sudanese 14-0 in the first leg match inside Omar Hamadi Stadium in Algiers on October 20 with referee Asma Chouchane from Tunisia witnessing what was a mere training session of seniors against minors on the day.
Meanwhile, South Africa will not be deceived as they have to be prepared like the “Boys Scouts” as they will eventually play Algeria because there is no Jupiter that will make Sudan come back from the dead to score 15 goals to overhaul Algeria no matter where the second leg of the postponed match will be played.
Already, the 21 teams that made it through to the second round have also known their opponents and on February 14, the battle for the 11 tickets for Morocco 2022 final will start while the return leg holds on February 23. The winner of the two legs will qualify for the tournament which will also serve as qualifiers for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bill for Australia and New Zealand.
***All Second Round Matches/Dates At A Glance***
14 February 2022
Uganda v Kenya
23 February 2022
Kenya v Uganda
14 February 2022
Burundi v Djibouti
23 February 2022
Djibouti v Burundi
14 February 2022
Zambia v Namibia
23 February 2022
Namibia v Zambia
14 February 2022
Zimbabwe v Botswana
23 February 2022
Botswana v Zimbabwe
14 February 2022
South Africa v Winner 10
23 February 2022
Winner 10 v South Africa
14 February 2022
Tunisia v Equatorial Guinea
23 February 2022
Equatorial Guinea v Tunisia
14 February 2022
Togo v Gabon
23 February 2022
Gabon v Togo
14 February 2022
Cameroon v Gambia
23 February 2022
Gambia v Cameroon
14 February 2022
Senegal v Mali
23 February 2022
Mali v Senegal
14 February 2022
Guinea-Bissau v Burkina Faso
23 February 2022
Burkina Faso v Guinea-Bissau
** 14 February 2022**
Nigeria v Ivory Coast
23 February 2022
Ivory Coast v Nigeria
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