For years, women’s football in Africa struggled with limited funding, minimal media coverage, and a lack of institutional support. However, the last decade has witnessed a major transformation, with African women’s teams proving their talent on the global stage.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup saw African teams put up some of their best performances ever, with Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco reaching the knockout stages. This marked a turning point for women’s football on the continent, inspiring more investment and participation at the grassroots level.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons remain Africa’s most successful women’s team, with 11 WAFCON (Women’s Africa Cup of Nations) titles. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana made history by winning their first-ever WAFCON title in 2022, signaling a shift in power. Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses became the first Arab nation to qualify for the Women’s World Cup knockout stages, further showcasing Africa’s growing presence in women’s football. Investment in the sport is also increasing, with countries like Ghana, Cameroon, and Zambia improving facilities and offering better pay to female footballers.

Despite this progress, several challenges remain. Women’s football still receives far less financial backing compared to men’s football, limiting resources for player development and league growth. A lack of media coverage makes it difficult for women’s leagues to attract sponsorships, further hindering their expansion. Pay inequality is another pressing issue, with female footballers earning significantly less than their male counterparts, even at the national level. Additionally, cultural barriers persist in some countries, where traditional beliefs discourage women from pursuing football professionally.

The future of African women’s football looks promising. More countries are pushing for fully professional women’s leagues to improve competitiveness, while football academies are increasingly focusing on training young girls to create a stronger talent pipeline. With continued success at global tournaments like the Women’s World Cup and the Olympics, African teams are gaining the recognition they deserve.

Women’s football in Africa is on the rise, with teams breaking barriers and rewriting history. With the right support, investment, and exposure, Africa’s female footballers could soon be lifting major international trophies, proving that the future of football is not just male—it’s female too!