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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Osasu Obayiuwana in Casablanca

Jorge Vilda, pay disputes and incredible talent on show – Wafcon 2024 about to start a year late

Jorge Vilda, head coach of Morocco, oversees a training session
Jorge Vilda, now head coach of Morocco, knows what it takes to win a major tournament. Photograph: Jalal Morchidi/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The historic task of one host staging Africa’s two major competitions this year, the women’s and men’s Africa Cup of Nations – Wafcon and Afcon – within six months of each other could really have been given to only one country: Morocco. It has arguably the best football facilities on the continent and has made itself the tournament-hosting sweet spot for the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Three years ago a very successful Wafcon was staged there and the North African country then agreed to organise the next two tournaments, as no other nation on the continent offered to shoulder the responsibility. The 2025 edition kicks off on Saturday evening, with the hosts playing Zambia in the opening game.

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