A Historic Triumph and a New Era for African Women’s Futsal

Morocco’s dramatic comeback crowns a week of high-scoring action as Africa celebrates a new chapter in women’s futsal.

In late April 2025, Morocco etched its name into African futsal history by winning the inaugural CAF Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on home soil. In a pulsating final at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex, the Lionesses of Atlas produced a dramatic comeback, overturning a 0–2 deficit to defeat Tanzania 3–2, with Jasmine Demraoui netting the winner in the dying seconds. The victory not only delivered Morocco their first continental futsal title but also secured their place—alongside runners-up Tanzania—at the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, set for the Philippines in late 2025.

(Main picture: Morocco Women’s National Futsal team – source of the image: simplymorocco Instagram page)

The triumph capped a dominant tournament for Morocco, who had overpowered Namibia (8–1) and Cameroon (7–1) in the group stages before dispatching Angola 5–1 in the semi-finals. Tanzania’s path to the final was equally compelling, highlighted by their stunning 3–2 upset of Cameroon in the last four. Across the weeklong tournament, 15 matches produced 103 goals—an average of nearly 7 per game—reflecting a showcase of free-flowing, attacking futsal that thrilled crowds and offered a powerful statement about the rising standard of the women’s game in Africa.

Tournament Format and Group Highlights

CAF established this first Women’s Futsal AFCON as the official African qualifiers for the brand-new Women’s Futsal World Cup. After FIFA introduced the Women’s Futsal World Cup (2025) in October 2023, CAF invited bids for a qualifying tournament. Egypt and Morocco were the only bidders, and CAF’s Executive Committee chose Morocco to host the finals (announced 26 Jan 2024)​. Nine nations ultimately took part (Angola, Cameroon, Egypt, Guinea, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania) representing all CAF regions​. On 13 Feb 2025 a draw placed the teams into three groups of three (Morocco was seeded in Group A, joined by Cameroon and Namibia)​. The top team from each group plus the best second-place side would reach the semifinals.

Key results included:

• Morocco (Hosts): Dominant in Group A, Morocco overpowered Namibia 8–1 and then thrashed Cameroon 7–1 to win their group with a game to spare. Star forwards like Amal El Ouafi and Meryem Hajri combined slick rotations with clinical finishing, making Morocco look like “champions-in-waiting”​.
• Angola: The Angolans topped Group B by beating Guinea 5–2 (Joyce scoring twice) and Egypt 3–1​. Their fluid movement and quick transition play underlined Angola’s pedigree as a rising futsal nation.
• Tanzania: In Group C, Tanzania drew 4–4 with Madagascar after a wild 5–5 draw between Senegal and Madagascar left all three teams in contention​. Tanzania drew their last group game with Madagascar to advance as either group winners or best runner-up.
• Allies for the Semis: Morocco, Angola, and Tanzania claimed the three group winners’ spots. Cameroon advanced as the best second-place team (despite Morocco’s 7–1 win) to complete the semi-final line-up.

Morocco and Angola thus met on April 28 in the first semi-final, while Tanzania faced Cameroon in the other.

Semi-Finals: Surprise and Authority

In the Rabat semi-finals both games lived up to the drama. Tanzania upset Cameroon 3–2, a result African futsal fans will remember. The hosts had led 2–0 in the first half, but Tanzanian captain Violette scored in the 32nd minute, and Cameroon’s Pekure answered just 30 seconds later​. Even after a Tanzanian red card put them a player down, Tanzania struck again through Mnunka (35’) and then sealed the win when Anastazia Katunzi finished a swift counter in the 38th minute​. That 3–2 victory made Tanzania the first African side to qualify for the Women’s Futsal World Cup​.

Meanwhile Morocco asserted its authority with a commanding 5–1 win over Angola​. Morocco’s Doha El Madani broke the deadlock early and added a second, Zineb Erroudany and Jasmine Demraoui also scored, and Amal Hajri added a fifth in the 39th minute​. A lone Angolan goal by Djamila Catombela (17’) was not enough to stem the onslaught. Morocco’s persistence continued a run of lopsided scorelines (Group A and this semi) and set up a final against Tanzania. Earlier on April 30, Cameroon took third place by beating Angola 4–1 (Brunelle Beulou netting twice)​.

Final: Morocco’s Thrilling Comeback

The final on April 30 was a classic. Tanzania struck shockingly early, Anastazia Katunzi smashed home in the 4th minute, and doubled the lead through Jamila Rajabu (16’)​. Morocco looked stunned, and Tanzanian pressure was high. But just before halftime, Doha El Madani converted a penalty to halve the deficit​. In the second half, Morocco grew into the game. In the 34th minute, Drissia Korrych scored from a well-worked corner to level the match​. With tension mounting, both sides battled for the winner. In the dying seconds, Demraoui found space and unleashed a low drive past the keeper, the 3–2 winner that ignited wild celebration. As the CAF report noted, the Lionesses of Atlas had “come from two goals down to secure their first-ever continental title”​.

Morocco’s triumph was a homecoming story. Playing before a packed Rabat crowd, the hosts feasted on their momentum indeed, CAF observers noted the crowd’s role “buoying” Morocco after halftime​. King Mohammed VI himself congratulated the team for the “brilliant victory” and “deep patriotic spirit,” noting with pride that they had won “the first edition of this African championship” on home soil​. CAF President Patrice Motsepe also attended the final, underscoring the tournament’s significance. The Moroccan side had to battle early nerves (conceding an early goal) but showed grit.

Morocco’s Best Player award went to Jasmine Demraoui (whose late goal won the final), and Doha El Madani was top scorer with 5 goals​. Tanzania’s Nassra Abbas earned Best Goalkeeper, while Namibia took the Fair Play Award​. Both finalists’ qualification for the World Cup was the other big prize of the event​.

Stars and Tactical Trends

Several players shone throughout the competition. Morocco’s El Madani and Demraoui led the scoring charts, but others caught the eye. Morocco’s Amal El Ouafi and Meryem Hajri (both scored in earlier games) were electric in attack​. Tanzania’s Anastazia Katunzi and Donisia Minja (a two-goal hero in a 4–4 draw with Madagascar) showed deadly finishing in key moments​. In Group B, Angola’s forward Joyce (brace vs. Guinea) and veteran Djamila Catombela (4 goals total) demonstrated why Angola is a futsal power. Cameroon’s front line also tallied (Brunelle Beulou and Brigitte Mbomozomo each had 4 goals​), and Madagascar’s Sarah Ramanantsoa was praised for tireless pivot play​.

Tactically, the tournament was notable for high-tempo attacking play. The average of nearly seven goals per game​ speaks to how open and fast the games were. Tanzania’s high press in the final unsettled Morocco early​, and their counterattacking speed paid off. Angola showed crisp positional play and quick transitions in victory after victory​. Morocco, while technically proficient, relied on disciplined defence and capitalized on set-pieces; their equaliser in the final came from a corner play​. Coaches noted that while defence was strong (two-nil late first-half scoreless draws in the semis), games often turned explosive in the second half.

Key tactical takeaways:

• Most teams played a possession-oriented futsal but looked to score quickly on turnovers.
• High pressing by teams like Tanzania proved effective in creating early chances.
• Morocco’s corner routines and penalty discipline (Demraoui and El Madani were reliable) were match-deciders.
• Physical fitness and rotation were essential: games were almost 40 minutes of running, and teams often rotated all players.

Cameroon coach Louis René Epée, a longtime futsal pioneer, summed up the tournament’s significance: “We’re not just here to participate. We’re here to win. But beyond the results, this is about recognition — giving women’s futsal the platform it deserves”. That sense of new opportunity was clear on the court.

Media, Fans, and Social Buzz

Coverage of the tournament was mixed. In Morocco and many African media outlets, the event received enthusiastic attention. National news sites headlined the Lionesses’ victory. For example, Moroccan media noted that King Mohammed VI “took great pride” in the team’s historic win and paid tribute to their spirit​. The North Africa Post and Fez News both ran stories on April 30–May 1, celebrating the championship and World Cup qualification​. In Tanzania, the coverage was equally celebratory: The Citizen newspaper led with “Tanzania eyes history in Futsal Africa Cup final” after the semifinal, and ran post-final stories lauding the team’s “monumental achievement” and coach Curtis Reid’s remarks​. As coach Reid said, “it wasn’t an easy game… the players’ resilience was admirable”​, and he echoed that his side, already World Cup-bound, was “motivated… ready” to lift the title​.

Elsewhere in Africa, coverage was sparser but present. CAF’s own media center posted match reports and news releases (with detailed recaps and quotes) on its website​. A handful of pan-African sports news sites picked up the story. By contrast, outside Africa, the tournament received little attention in mainstream outlets – global coverage was largely limited to specialized sports sites and regional press. Middle Eastern news portal Middle East Monitor ran a detailed article, noting the “dramatic 3–2 comeback” and early goals by Katunzi and Rajabu​. Social media engagement was vibrant among futsal fans: Twitter/X feeds buzzed with highlights of spectacular goals and celebrations, and Futsal Focus’s own posts on the event saw high engagement​. The hashtag #FutsalWAFCON2025 trended briefly, and fans from Morocco, Tanzania, and beyond shared clips of the fast-paced games.

CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) promoted the event through a focused digital campaign. The tournament was livestreamed on CAF’s YouTube channel (CAF TV) for free​, ensuring fans across Africa (and worldwide) could watch. CAF’s website provided live news bulletins, stats, and video highlights in real time​. The FRMF hosted side events such as futsal coaching workshops and refereeing seminars to engage local communities and professionals​. The ambitious message in press releases was clear: this WAFCON is “the first step in an ambitious new era for women’s futsal in Africa”​.

CAF’s Vision and Next Steps

CAF sees this inaugural tournament as a springboard. Officials have already signalled a long-term development plan for futsal. CAF is finalizing official futsal coaching licenses (with pilot courses underway in Morocco, Angola, etc.) and plans a continental rollout by 2026​. Technical director workshops and grassroots youth programs are being organized, backed by FIFA’s forward-funding. Notably, the presence of ex-Angolan coach Marcos Antunes at futsal training sessions in Rabat who tweeted that it was an honour to help grow the game in Africa​ underscores the emphasis on capacity-building. Morocco itself is expanding youth futsal leagues, Ghana and Ivory Coast have launched futsal initiatives, and Angola is holding talent camps​.

Looking ahead, CAF officials have hinted at establishing this event on a regular cycle and possibly expanding it. With two World Cup spots on offer, national federations now have a concrete goal in women’s futsal. CAF President Motsepe’s appearance at the final and his praise for the event (praising Morocco’s leadership in African football) suggest CAF’s backing will continue​. The positive reception and high-scoring spectacle will likely encourage more federations to invest in women’s futsal.

Reflections: Successes and Shortcomings

Overall, the 2025 Women’s Futsal AFCON was a successful debut. It ran smoothly, provided thrilling matches, and marked important firsts (first title, first World Cup qualifiers). The dramatic final and home-country celebrations were a public-relations win for CAF and for Moroccan football. The wide broadcasting (CAF TV streams) and online engagement meant futsal fans could tune in globally​. Organizers delivered strong infrastructure and support, and the coaching/referee workshops demonstrated a commitment beyond just the games​.

However, there were shortcomings. Participation was limited (only 9 of 54 CAF nations), and several larger football countries were absent. Media exposure remained largely confined to niche outlets; mainstream global sports media barely noticed the tournament outside Africa. Despite live streaming, CAF did not release viewership numbers, so fan engagement on TV is unclear. The high goal count also reflected some mismatches in quality between teams, suggesting more development is needed in lesser-known futsal programs. Finally, because the event was new, spectatorship details (attendance, local fan campaigns, etc.) were not widely reported, leaving one uncertain about its grassroots impact.

Still, the overall momentum is positive. Fans and players alike have voiced pride and excitement. As The Citizen of Tanzania put it, winning the AFCON would be “the perfect statement ahead of [the] World Cup debut” and a “defining chapter” in their futsal journey​. Coaches and officials agree this tournament has raised the profile of women’s futsal. As Cameroon’s Louis René Epée noted, it has given these athletes “the platform they deserve”​. With CAF’s clear strategic backing, the 2025 Women’s Futsal AFCON may indeed herald a new era for the sport across Africa.

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Futsal Focus

You can read more articles about International Futsal by going to the top navigation bar or by clicking here

If you like this article and would like to keep updated on Futsal news, developments, etc. You can now follow Futsal Focus via Google News. By following our page which will send you an alert as soon as we publish an article. Please click here and follow us on Google.

You can also keep updated on Futsal news, developments by submitting your email below in the Subscribe to Futsal Focus option.

Follow Futsal Focus by clicking on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or on the social media buttons on the website