African Teams Brace for the Women's Olympic Football Challenge

The draw for the 2024 Olympic Games has unveiled a daunting task for African teams participating in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament. Group C presents a formidable challenge as either South Africa or Nigeria will contend with reigning world champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil. Meanwhile, Group B showcases another fierce battleground, with either Zambia or Morocco set to clash against former FIFA Women’s World Cup winners USA, four-time Olympic champions Germany, and the 2023 Women’s World Cup hosts, Australia.

The battle for qualification among the four CAF teams will escalate in the fourth and final round, determining which duo will secure their coveted spots in the global football extravaganza scheduled for Paris from July 24th to August 10th this year.

South Africa's Banyana Banyana faces a demanding journey, starting with an away fixture against Nigeria on April 4th, followed by a home match at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on April 9th, with kick-off scheduled for 19:30.

Coach Desiree Ellis’ squad will kickstart their training camp on April 25th, initially focusing on local-based players. The competition regulations stipulate that each country can select only 18 players per team for the final tournament, with no age restrictions in the women’s section.

Beyond the sporting spectacle, the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will unfold across seven host cities, each exuding its unique charm. The host stadiums encompass Parc des Princes in Paris, Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes, Stade de Lyon in Lyon, Stade de Marseille in Marseille, Stade de Nice in Nice, and Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.

Canada currently holds the title of reigning champions, clinching their maiden Olympic gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games by defeating Sweden in the final. The USA secured the bronze, while Australia finished in fourth place.

France harbors aspirations of joining the exclusive club of host countries to clinch the Games, following the footsteps of the USA, who achieved the feat in the inaugural competition in 1996.

Here’s a glimpse at the illustrious history of champions in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament:

1996: USA

2000: Norway

2004: USA

2008: USA

2012: USA

2016: Germany

2020: Canada