Women’s Champions League: Everything You Need To Know About The WAFU B Qualifiers
The road to qualification to the CAF Women’s Champions League officially gets underway for the WAFU B Zone this weekend, with 8 clubs set to take each other on between 10 – 23 August to decide who will represent the zone at this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League finals in November.
Tournament Venues
Peace Stadium (Stade de la Paix)
Bouaké Stadium
Participating Teams
Ainonvi FC (Benin)
Hasaacas Ladies (Ghana)
Inter Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)
AO Étincelles (Burkina Faso)
AS National Guard (Niger)
Edo Queens (Nigeria)
ASKO from Kara (Togo)
Groups
Group A: Inter Abidjan, Aïnonvi FC, ASKO Kara
Group B: Hasaacas Ladies, AO Etincelles, AS Garde Nationale, Edo Queens
Qualifier Format
The seven participating teams have been divided into two groups. A victory results in three points, a point for a draw and zero points for a defeat.
The top two teams will advance to the semi-finals to decide the two teams that will contest for a place in the CAF Women’s Champions League finals.
SCHEDULE
10/08/24
Inter Abidjan vs Aïnonvi FC, Stade de la Paix
08/11/24
Hasaacas Ladies vs AO Étincelles, Stade de la Paix
AS National Guard vs Edo Queens, Bouaké Stadium
08/13/24
Aïnonvi FC – AS Kozah, Bouaké Stadium
08/14/24
AO Étincelles – AS Garde Nationale, Bouaké Stadium annex,
Edo Queens – Hasaacas Ladies, Stade de Bouaké annex
08/16/24
AS Kozah – Inter Abidjan, Stade de la Paix
08/17/24
AS National Guard – Hasaacas Ladies, Peace Stadium
Edo Queens – AO Étincelles, Bouaké Annex Stadium
Participating Teams:
Ainonvi FC (Benin)
Runners up in the 2024 domestic season, Ainonvi FC managed to clinch the title this year to earn their place at the qualifiers. With the momentum of being champions, the Benin side will be looking at going all the way in the qualifiers.
Achievements:
Benin Championship
Winner in 2024
Vice-champion in 2023
Hasaacas Ladies (Ghana)
Hasaacas Ladies have had a remarkable trajectory of growth in recent years. They first won the inaugural edition of the Ghana Women’s League in 2012-2013, before retaining their title the following two seasons. In 2021, they achieved a historic double by winning both the league and the national cup. That year, they also represented Ghana in the first edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League where they lost in the League final to Mamelodi Sundowns by a 2-0 margin.
Achievements:
Ghana Championship
Winners in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2024
Ghana Cup
Winner in 2021
CAF Women’s Champions League
Finalist in 2021
WAFU B Tournament
Winner in 2021
Inter Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire)
FC Inter d’Abidjan made their CAF Women’s League Finals debut last season after qualifying as tournament hosts.
In 2020-2021, Inter Abidjan finished in place in the championship, behind Africa Sports. They then won their first trophy by winning the national cup after a 2-1 victory against Atlético in the final. During the 2023/24 season, Inter won the champion title and to earn their place in the qualifiers..
Achievements:
Cote d’Ivoire Championship:
Winner in 2024
Vice-champion in 2021 and 2022
Cote d’Ivoire Cup:
Winner in 2023
AO Étincelles (Burkina Faso)
AO Étincelles put an end to the domination of the USFA Colombes, who had won the Burkina Faso championship three times in a row. This performance allows the team to make their debut in the CAF Women’s Champions League Qualifiers.
Achievements:
Burkina Faso Championship
Winner in 2019 and 2024
Burkina Faso Cup
Winner in 2021
AS Garde Nationale (Niger)
Since the creation of the women’s football championship in Niger, the National Guard Sports Association has won the title twice. They will be the second team form Niger to participate in the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers, after AS Police in 2021.
Achievements:
Niger Championship
Winners in 2021, 2023, and 2024
Edo Queens (Nigeria)
The Edo Queens women’s football team has established itself as an essential reference in the landscape of Nigerian women’s football. Based in Benin, Edo State, the outfit enjoys a rich heritage of success, both nationally and internationally. Known for its technical and dynamic play, the Edo Queens team has always been among the main contenders for the title of Nigeria’s premier women’s division. Off the field, the team is actively involved in community programs and initiatives aimed at promoting women’s empowerment through sport.
Achievements:
Nigerian Championship:
Winner in 2024
ASKO from Kara (Togo)
Champions of Togolese football, ASKO’s achievement sees the side being the third team to represent Togo in the WAFU B qualifiers after Friends of the World in 2023 and Athlética de Lomé in 2022.
Achievements:
Togolese Championship 2024
Previous WAFU B Champions
2023: Ampem Darkoa (Ghana)
2022: Bayelsa Queens (Nigeria)
2021: Hasaacas Ladies (Ghana)
