Wikipedia

2025 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup

The 2025 WAFU Zone A Women's Cup (French: Coupe féminine de la zone A de l'UFOA 2025; Arabic: كأس اتحاد غرب إفريقيا للسيدات منطقة أ 2025) was the third edition of the WAFU Zone A Women's Cup, an international women's football tournament contested by the women's national association football teams of West Africa zone A organized by the West African Football Union (WAFU). Mauritania hosted the tournament from 22 to 31 May 2025, marking the first-ever women's international football competition to take place in the country.[1]

Women's Cup WAFU-A 2025
Tournoi Féminin UFOA A Mauritanie 2025
Tournament details
Host country Mauritania
CityNouakchott
Dates22 – 31 May
Teams8 (from 1 sub-confederation)
Venues2 (in 1 host city)
Final positions
Champions Sierra Leone (1st title)
Runners-up Senegal
Third place Liberia
Fourth place Mali
Tournament statistics
Matches played16
Goals scored49 (3.06 per match)
Top scorer(s)Senegal Hapsatou M. Diallo
(5 goals)
Best playerSierra Leone Hannah Juana
Best goalkeeperSierra Leone Hannah Juana
← 2023
TBD →

Senegal were two-time champions, having won every edition of the tournament to date.[2] However, they fell short in their title defense after a 0–1 defeat to Sierra Leone in the final.[3] Conversely, Sierra Queens; who had never progressed beyond the group stage in prior editions, enjoyed a historic campaign, culminating in their maiden title triumph.[4][5] Senegal's Hapsatou Malado Diallo claimed the Top Scorer award for the second consecutive time, netting five goals throughout the competition. Sierra Leone's goalkeeper, Hannah Juana was named both Best Player and Best Goalkeeper, following a series of standout performances that played a pivotal role in her nation's maiden title victory.[6]

Of the eight participating teams, hosts Mauritania scored their first-ever goal in the tournament and went on to secure their maiden victory; both in the competition and on the international stage, by defeating Guinea-Bissau in their final group-stage match.[7]

Teams

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Participating teams

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On 13 May 2025, WAFU Zone A announced that 8 of its 9 member associations would participate in the tournament, with Cape Verde, last edition's runners-up, being the only nation to not enter.[8]

Team App. Previous best performance WR[a]
 Gambia 3rd Third place (2023)
123
 Guinea 3rd Group stage (2020, 2023)
144
 Guinea-Bissau 3rd Fourth place (2023)
177
 Liberia 2nd Third place (2020)
167
 Mali 2nd Runners-up (2020)
78
 Mauritania 2nd Group stage (2023)
NR
 Senegal 3rd Champions (2020, 2023)
82
 Sierra Leone 3rd Group stage (2020, 2023)
150
  1. ↑ As of the latest FIFA Women's World Ranking, published on 6 March 2025.[9]
Did not enter

 Cape Verde (125)

Draw

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The draw to determine the participating countries' groups took place at 11:00 GMT on 14 May 2025 at the WAFU-UFOA A headquarters in Banjul, The Gambia.[10] The draw started with the hosts, Mauritania, being assigned to position A1, and title holders Senegal being assigned to position B1. The other teams were drawn using two pots: one containing the teams and the other the positions in the groups.

The draw resulted in the following groups:

Group A
Pos Team
A1  Mauritania (host)
A2  Mali
A3  Guinea-Bissau
A4  Liberia
Group B
Pos Team
B1  Senegal (TH)
B2  Guinea
B3  Sierra Leone
B4  Gambia

Squads

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Each team was required by WAFU-UFOA to name a squad of a minimum of 20 players (two of whom must be goalkeepers).

Venues

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On 14 May 2025, WAFU A confirmed the selection of two stadiums within the Mauritanian capital to host the tournament matches.

Nouakchott
Cheikha Ould Boïdiya Stadium Ksar Stadium
Capacity: 8,200 Capacity: 5,000

Match officials

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As of 22 May 2025, the following match officials were confirmed for the tournament.[11][12]

Referees

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  • The Gambia Fatou Ngum
  • Guinea Félicité Kourouma
  • Liberia Love Whyee
  • Mali Aissata Diarra
  • Mauritania Aissata Lam
  • Mauritania Yacine Samassa

Assistant referees

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  • Cape Verde Marisa Monteiro
  • The Gambia Abbie Ceesay
  • Guinea-Bissau Cadidjatu Mancal
  • Mali Mariam Coulibaly
  • Mauritania Diba Houleye

Group stage

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WAFU A initially announced the tournament schedule, including kick-off times and venues, on 14 May 2025. However, the schedule was completely rescheduled on 18 May due to visa issues that delayed the arrival of most delegations to Mauritania, with the tournament now set to start on 22 May.[13]

Tiebreakers

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In the group stage, Teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw, 0 points for a loss), and if tied on points, the following tiebreaking criteria are applied, in the order given, to determine the rankings:

  1. Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  2. Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  3. Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams;
  4. If more than two teams are tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams are still tied, all head-to-head criteria above are reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams;
  5. Goal difference in all group matches;
  6. Goals scored in all group matches;
  7. Drawing of lots.

All times are local, GMT (UTC).

Group A

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Mali 3 2 1 0 10 2 +8 7 Advance to knockout phase
2  Liberia 3 1 2 0 5 3 +2 5
3  Mauritania (H) 3 1 1 1 3 6 −3 4
4  Guinea-Bissau 3 0 0 3 2 9 −7 0
Source: UFOA A
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
(H) Hosts
Mauritania 0–5 Mali
Report
Referee: Fatou Ngum (Gambia)
Guinea-Bissau 1–3 Liberia
Iala 16' Report
Guinea-Bissau 1–4 Mali
 Report
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
Liberia 1–1 Mauritania
Morris 56' Report Diabira 87' (pen.)
Mali 1–1 Liberia
Dembele 21' Report Yantay 45+3'
Referee: Fatou Ngum (Gambia)

Group B

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1  Senegal 3 2 1 0 9 2 +7 7 Advance to knockout phase
2  Sierra Leone 3 1 1 1 5 6 −1 4
3  Guinea 3 1 0 2 7 9 −2 3
4  Gambia 3 1 0 2 6 10 −4 3
Source: UFOA A
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Senegal 2–1 Guinea
 Report
Sierra Leone 0–3 Gambia
Report
Referee: Love Whyee (Liberia)
Sierra Leone 3–1 Guinea
 Report
Referee: Fatou Ngum (Gambia)
Gambia 0–6 Senegal
Report
Guinea 4–3 Gambia
 Report
Referee: Aida Sy (Senegal)
Senegal 1–1 Sierra Leone
H. Diallo 87' Report Jumu 3'

Knockout stage

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In the knockout stage, a penalty shoot-out is used to decide the winner if necessary.

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
29 May – Nouakchott
 
 
 Mali0
 
31 May – Nouakchott
 
 Sierra Leone1
 
 Sierra Leone1
 
29 May – Nouakchott
 
 Senegal0
 
 Senegal1
 
 
 Liberia Red card0
 
Third Place
 
 
31 May – Nouakchott
 
 
 Mali0
 
 
 Liberia1

Semi-finals

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Mali 0–1 Sierra Leone
Report S. Kamara 82'
Senegal 1–0 Liberia
H. Diallo 70' (pen.) Report
Referee: Fatou Ngum (Gambia)

Third place play-off

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Mali 0–1 Liberia
Report Glao 63'

Final

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Senegal and Sierra Leone contested the final for the first time in the history of the competition. The Lionesses of Teranga as two-time champions, entered the match as the tournament's most successful team,[14] while Sierra Queens reached the final for the first time.[15] The two sides had previously met three times in the competition, most recently in the group stage of the current edition, which ended in a 1–1 draw. Senegal had won one and drawn one of the two earlier encounters.

Sierra Leone[16]
Senegal[17]
GK21Hannah Juana
MF7Salamatu Kamara (C)
DF3Juliet BrimaYellow card 44'
DF4Kumba Abu
DF5Mabel Gbongay
MF6Jeneba Koroma
MF12Abibatu Bangura
MF14Fatmata Turay
FW18Wuyah Mohai
FW9Kumba Z. Brima
FW17Marian JumuYellow card 76'downward-facing red arrow 90'
Substitutions:
FW19Adama Mansarayupward-facing green arrow 90'
GK1Cecilia Bangura
GK16Kumba Conteh
MF10Sarah Bangura
DF11Rashidatu A. Kamara
DF13Fatmata F. Kanu
DF15Juliana F. Mansaray
FW20Marie B. Conteh
Manager:
Hassan Mansaray
GK21Adji Ndiaye
DF18Meta Camara (C)
DF5Wolimata NdiayeYellow card 33'
DF8Marie Diokh
DF3Anta DembéléYellow card 22'
MF19Binta Korkel Seck
MF14Sadigatou Diallodownward-facing red arrow 89'
MF15Fatoumata Dramé
FW7Pascaline Bassenedownward-facing red arrow 77'
FW17Hapsatou Malado DialloYellow card 76'
FW9Ndèye Awa Cassetdownward-facing red arrow 89'
Substitutions:
DF6Maty Cissokhoupward-facing green arrow 77'
MF10Sokhna Nogaye Pèneupward-facing green arrow 89'
MF20Marie Ndiayeupward-facing green arrow 89'
GK1Khady Faye
GK16Tenning Séne
MF12Safietou Sagna
MF13Mariama Faty
Manager:
Mame Moussa Cissé

Player of the Match:
Salamatu Kamara (Sierra Leone)

Assistant referees:

Cadidjatu Mancal (Guinea-Bissau)
Fourth official:
Love Whyee (Liberia)

Goalscorers

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Final ranking and awards

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Final ranking

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Pos. Team G Pld W D L Pts GF GA GD
1  Sierra Leone B 5 3 1 1 10 6 5 +1
2  Senegal B 5 3 1 1 10 10 3 +7
3  Liberia A 5 2 2 1 8 6 4 +2
4  Mali A 5 2 1 2 7 10 4 +6
Eliminated in the group stage
5  Mauritania A 3 1 1 1 4 3 6 −3
6  Guinea B 3 1 0 2 3 6 8 −2
7  Gambia B 3 1 0 2 3 6 10 −4
8  Guinea-Bissau A 3 0 0 3 0 2 9 −7

Individual awards

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The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament:

AwardWinner(s)
Golden BootSenegal Hapsatou Malado Diallo
Golden BallSierra Leone Hannah Juana
Golden Glove

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Agaly, Maya (13 May 2025). "Nouakchott accueille la Coupe de l'UFOA-A de football féminin". taqadoumy.mr (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  2. ↑ Ndour, Papa Mamadou (14 May 2025). "UFOA A : Les « Lionnes » à l'assaut du titre en Mauritanie". pressafrik.com (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  3. ↑ Pape Mor Bassine (31 March 2025). "Tournoi UFOA-A, Mauritanie 2025 : le Sénégal perd son titre devant la Sierra Leone". jolofsport.com/ (in French). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  4. ↑ Bangura, Sharied (31 May 2025). "Sierra Queens Win WAFU Championship with 1-0 Defeat Against Senegal". sierraloaded.sl. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  5. ↑ Mabuka, Dennis (1 June 2025). "History written as Sierra Queens stun champions Senegal to win first-ever WAFU title". africatopsports.com. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  6. ↑ Abubakar, Sorie (1 June 2025). "WAFU: Sierra Queens Goalkeeper, Hannah Juana Wins Golden Glove". sierraloaded.sl. Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  7. ↑ JJ (26 May 2025). "Historique ! La Mauritanie féminine décroche sa première victoire officielle". csportsinfos.tg (in French). Retrieved 1 June 2025.
  8. ↑ UFOA A (12 May 2025). "WAFU Zone A Women's Cup 2025: Nouakchott to Host the tournament from 18 to 31 May". Retrieved 13 May 2025 – via Facebook.
  9. ↑ "FIFA Women's World Ranking". fifa.com. FIFA. 6 March 2025. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  10. ↑ Jules Sessiwede (14 May 2025). "Tournoi Féminin UFOA A : Tirage au sort et calendrier de la compétition". africafootunited.com (in French). Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  11. ↑ Touray, Buba (16 May 2025). "Referee Fatou Ngum to officiate at WAFU Women's Championship". thepoint.gm. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
  12. ↑ Walker, Christopher (20 May 2025). "Liberia: Love Whyee Gets WAFU Call-Up". frontpageafricaonline.com. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  13. ↑ Danfa, Balantó (19 May 2025). "Última Hora: Alterado o calendário do Torneio 'UFOA Feminino'". ogologb.net (in Portuguese). Retrieved 20 May 2025.
  14. ↑ "Tournoi UFOA/A 2025 : Les Lionnes défient la Sierra Leone en finale pour conserver leur titre". wiwsport.com. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  15. ↑ Kannah, Sia Lucy (29 May 2025). "Sierra Queens Stun Mali 1-0, Qualifies for 2025 WAFU A Final". sierraloaded.sl. Retrieved 2 June 2025.
  16. ↑ "🇸🇱 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋: Sierra Queens Starting XI vs Senegal – WAFU A Women's Cup Final (31 May 2025, 8:00 PM)". SLFA. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025 – via Facebook.
  17. ↑ "📋 Le onze de départ des Lionnes du Sénégal face à la Sierra Leone pour la finale de la WAFU A Women's Cup" (in French). FSF. 31 May 2025. Retrieved 2 June 2025 – via Instagram.
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