The 2014 African Women's Championship, the 11th edition of the tournament, was held in Namibia. This tournament, organized by the Confederation of African Football, was also a qualification tournament for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, with top three qualifying for the finals in Canada. It was played on 11–25 October 2014.

The tournament marked the first participation of Namibia in the African championship. Also for the first time the defending champions, Equatorial Guinea, were not taking part after failing to win their last qualifying round match.

Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2–0 in the final to win their record-extending seventh title.

Host Namibia were awarded the hosting rights in October 2011. This was the first time they would appear in the final tournament.

There was some criticism of the slow preparation and campaigning for the event. The national women's league was suspended this year because all money was used for hosting the continental event.

Qualification

A record 25 teams applied for the 2014 African Women's Championship.Record entries for Namibia 2014 African Women Championship The top three teams from the 2012 tournament, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa received a bye to the second round. The preliminary round was held on 13–15 February (first leg) and 28 February–2 March 2014 (second leg), while the final qualifying round was held on 23–25 May (first leg) and 6–8 June (second leg).Fixtures IXTH African Women Championship

Qualified teams Team Method ofqualificationPrevious appearances in tournament Hosts 0 3 (2004, 2006, 2010) 10 (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012) 9 (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010) 1 (2012) 10 (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012) 9 (1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012) 2 (1991, 1995)

Venues The final tournament matches were held in two stadium venues located in Windhoek:

Windhoek Windhoek Independence Stadium Sam Nujoma Stadium Capacity: 25,000 Capacity: 10,300

Format Eight teams were divided in two groups and play a round-robin tournament. The top two placed teams advanced to the semifinals. The losers of those semifinals played in the third place match, while the winners faced off in the final. The top three placed teams qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Match officials 12 referees and 15 assistants were announced on 5 October 2014.

Referees

Maximina Bernado Thérèse Raïssa Ledia Tafesa Christine Ziga Aya Irène Ahoua Damaris Kimani Kankou Coulibaly Insaf El Harkaoui Fadouma Dia Lilia Abdeljaoued Aisha Ssemambo Gladys Lengwe

Assistant referees

Rosalie Tempa Botsalo Mosimanewatlala Élodie Bieiginin Mona Mahmoud Atallah Trhas Gebreyohanis Emmanuella Aglago Mary Njoroge Lidwine Rakotozafinoro Bernadette Kwimbira Fanta Idrissa Koné Souad Oulhaj Aminata Dialo Ayawa Dzodope Chafia Hendaoui Mercy Zulu

Squads

Group stage The draw was held on 19 July 2014 at 19:00 local time at Windhoek, Namibia.AWC Namibia 2014 draw set for July 19Hosts Namibia draw Nigeria in AWC draw

All times are local (UTC+02:00).

Tiebreakers The teams are ranked according to points (3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, 0 points for a loss). If tied on points, tiebreakers are applied in the following order: Greater number of points obtained in the matches between the concerned teams; Best Goal difference resulting from the matches between the concerned teams; Goal difference in all group matches; Greatest number of goals scored in all group matches; Fair Play point system in which the number of yellow and red cards are evaluated; Drawing of lots by CAF Organising Committee.

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 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Third place play-off Winners qualified for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Final

Statistics Awards The following awards were given at the conclusion of the tournament.

AwardPlayerGolden Ball Asisat OshoalaGolden Boot Desire OparanozieGolden Gloves Annette Ngo NdomFair Play Award

Goalscorers 5 goals Desire Oparanozie

4 goals Asisat Oshoala

3 goals Gaëlle Enganamouit Ines Nrehy

2 goals

Houria Affak Elizabeth Cudjoe Josée Nahi Portia Modise

1 goal

Raissa Feudjio Christine Manie Fatou Coulibaly Ida Guehai Christine Lohoues Thomalina Adams Zenatha Coleman Rita Williams Gloria Ofoegbu Osinachi Ohale Ngozi Okobi Francisca Ordega Perpetua Nkwocha Esther Sunday Amanda Dlamini Refiloe Jane Mamello Makhabane Sanah Mollo Shiwe Nongwanya Susan Banda

Own goal Mariam Diakité (playing against Nigeria)

Team statistics

|colspan="10"|Eliminated in the group stage

References

External links

Tn Mobile 9th African Women Championship-Namibia, CAFonline.com