Desiree Ellis has delivered a damning indictment of the CAF’s shambolic handling of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), posing the uncomfortable question: Would this ever happen to the men?
Just 12 days before the scheduled kick-off, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) plunged the continental showpiece into chaos on Thursday 5 March, announcing the tournament has been postponed to 25 July to 16 August.
The Banyana Banyana coach, speaking to Thabiso Mosia on Radio 2000 on Tuesday night before the postponement was confirmed, did not hold back in expressing her frustration with the information vacuum that has left players, coaches and federations scrambling.
“I think we are all in the dark; we all hear or see things on social media. So, if someone is listening, they can just give us a yes or a no, because after the 7th it becomes very difficult because other dates belong to the tournament so you can’t keep the players,” Ellis said.
Then came the knockout punch, a question that CAF officials should answer whilst looking in the mirror.
“Some players haven’t even flown to their countries because of the uncertainty and it’s not fair, I’m just gonna raise one question: Will this happen in the men’s game?”
The silence is deafening. Because everyone knows the answer.
Ellis’s frustration is not merely about inconvenience. It is about respect. Or rather, the glaring lack of it being shown to Africa’s elite women footballers.
Banyana internationals Thembi Kgatlana, Amogelang Motau (both Mexico-based), Linda Motlhalo (Scotland), Bongeka Gamede (Denmark) and Jessica Wade (Finland) had already arrived at camp last week, their carefully constructed preparation plans now derailed by administrative incompetence.
“It’s not a FIFA break where you can keep the players, like an international FIFA date where it’s a women’s FIFA date where you can play the friendlies because it was now from the 25th [of February] to the 7th of March,” Ellis explained, highlighting the critical distinction.
The original tournament window fell within a designated FIFA international break, providing protection for player release. The postponed dates of 25 July to 16 August offer no such sanctuary.
South Africa’s rescue mission
Into this chaos stepped Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who told SABC Sport that South Africa is ready to take over hosting duties from Morocco.
“We are ready and open for business and tourists as South Africa. We are retaking our responsibility as the giant of Africa when it comes to hosting. We hope CAF takes the right decision in bringing it here,” McKenzie declared.
It is not the first time South Africa’s hosting aspirations have surfaced. Deputy Minister Peace Mabe announced a month ago at the Hollywoodbets Super League awards that the country would host WAFCON, before McKenzie issued a clarifying statement that no agreements existed and Morocco remained the host.
Now, with Morocco’s hosting credentials apparently in doubt, McKenzie has reopened the door.
South Africa’s capability to deliver major tournaments is proven. The 2010 FIFA World Cup, multiple AFCON tournaments, and countless international events have all been staged successfully.
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