The 2002 African Women's Championship was the 5th edition of the biennial African women's association football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football. It took place in Nigeria between 7 and 20 December 2002.

This edition of the tournament also doubled as the African qualification for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup. Nigeria beat Ghana 2–0 in the final to with their 5th title, although both were guaranteed qualification to that international tournament edition held in the United States.

Host selection On 24 January 2001, the Botswana Football Association announced the submission of a hosting bid, but it was neither considered nor came to fruition by CAF.

CAF approached Nigeria at the 2002 African Cup of Nations in Mali for that tournament edition's hosting rights and got it on 19 March that year. Nigeria previously had the honor of hosting the tournament when it began full-scale in 1998.

Qualification

Nigeria qualified automatically as both hosts and defending champions, while the remaining seven spots were determined by the qualifying rounds, which took place from August to October 2002.

Format Qualification ties were played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. If the aggregate score was tied after the second leg, the away goals rule would be applied, and if still level, the penalty shoot-out would be used to determine the winner (no extra time would be played).

The seven winners of the final round qualified for the final tournament.

Qualified teams

Ethiopia and Mali made their first appearances in the tournament.

Team Qualified as Qualified onPrevious tournament appearances Hosts and defending champions 19 March 2002 4 (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000) Winners against DR Congo 11 October 2002 1 (1995) Winners against Morocco 11 October 2002 Debut Winners against Zambia 12 October 2002 3 (1995, 1998, 2000) Winners against Gabon 12 October 2002 3 (1991, 1998, 2000) Winners against Senegal 12 October 2002 4 (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000) Winners against Uganda 13 October 2002 Debut Winners against Tanzania 13 October 2002 1 (2000) Notes

Officials The following referees were named for the tournament:

Ondo Akono Chimane Nombauli Mukulu Mbula Scholastica Tetteh Bola Abidoye Bolanle Sekiteri Xonam Agboyi Catherine Adipo

Format The eight teams were divided into two groups of four teams, where the top two teams in each group advanced to the semi-finals. The finalists of this edition of the tournament qualified for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States.

The teams were ranked according to the three points for a win standard.

Group stage Tiebreakers If two or more teams in the group stage are tied on points tie-breakers are in order: greater number of points in matches between tied teams superior goal difference in matches between tied teams greater number of goals scored in matches between tied teams superior goal difference in all group matches greater number of goals scored in all group matches fair play criteria based on red and yellow cards received drawing of lots

Group A

Group B

Knockout stage In the knockout stage, if a match is level at the end of normal playing time, extra time is played (two periods of 15 minutes each) and followed, if necessary, by kicks from the penalty mark to determine the winner, except for the third place match where no extra time is played.

Bracket

Semi-finals Winners qualified for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Third place play-off

Final

The match was held up for about 5 minutes after fans pelted a lineswoman with sachets of water after Alberta Sackey had not been given offside (but missed the chance anyway).

Awards

Statistics

Team statistics

Team 15401152+13122540194+5123521275+2745212611–57 Eliminated in the group stage5302123–126302124–227301239–618301228–61

Goalscorers 4 goals

Alberta Sackey Perpetua Nkwocha Veronica Phewa

3 goals

Mercy Akide Stella Mbachu

2 goals

Awasso Endegene-Leme Mavis Dgajmah Nana Gyamfuah Rokiatou Samake Ifenyichukwu Chiejine Esther Zulu Talent

1 goal

Irene Gonçalves Jacinta Rios Antoinette Anounga Rolande Belemgoto Christelle Pokam Madeleine Ngono Mani Adjoa Bayor Maïchata Konaté Ekpo Effionwan Florence Iweta Olaitan Yusuf Antonia Carelse Lydia Monyepao

Unknown goalscorers : 3 additional goals

Qualified teams for the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup The teams below qualified to represent Africa at the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States.

Team Qualified onPrevious tournament appearances 17 December 2002 1 (1999) 18 December 2002 3 (1991, 1995, 1999)

Notes

References

External links 2002 edition records and results at RSSSF