The History of African Women’s Cup of Nations
The African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) is an international football tournament for women’s national teams organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The tournament was first held in 1991 and has been held every two years since then, with the exception of 2006 when it was not held due to a change in the format of the tournament.
Early Years (1991-2000)
The first edition of the AWCON was held in Nigeria in 1991, with nine teams participating. The tournament was won by Nigeria, who defeated Ghana 1-0 in the final. The early years of the tournament saw Nigeria dominate, winning the title five times between 1991 and 2000.
1991: Nigeria
- 1993: Nigeria
- 1995: Nigeria
- 1998: Nigeria
- 2000: Nigeria
Expansion and Growth (2002-2010)
In 2002, the tournament was expanded to include 12 teams, and the format was changed to a group stage followed by a knockout stage. This change led to more teams participating and a more competitive tournament. South Africa, who had previously not won the tournament, won the title in 2000, and went on to win again in 2008.
- 2002: South Africa
- 2004: Nigeria
- 2006: No tournament held
- 2008: South Africa
- 2010: Equatorial Guinea
Modern Era (2012-Present)
In 2012, the tournament was expanded to include 16 teams, and the format was changed to a group stage followed by a knockout stage. This change led to more teams participating and a more competitive tournament. Nigeria won the title in 2014, and went on to win again in 2016. In 2018, Ghana won the title for the first time in the tournament’s history.
- 2012: South Africa
- 2014: Nigeria
- 2016: Nigeria
- 2018: Ghana
- 2020: Postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic
The African Women’s Cup of Nations has a rich history, with many teams competing for the title. The tournament has seen many changes over the years, but it remains a vital part of African football.
4 Comments