Brian Baloyi Urges CAF to Separate World Cup Qualifiers from WAFCON
Former South Africa goalkeeper Brian Baloyi has called on CAF to uncouple FIFA Women's World Cup qualification from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs legend Brian Baloyi has urged the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to expedite the professionalization of women's football in Africa and put an end to the practice of qualifying for the World Cup through merely reaching the WAFCON semi-finals. After their quarter-final exit in WAFCON 2024, Banyana Banyana secured their 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification through a play-in match against Nigeria, which they won 2-1.
They will join Ghana in the final 10-team play-offs. Baloyi, representing Hollywoodbets as an ambassador, argues that the current WAFCON semi-final requirement for World Cup qualification should be reconsidered. He believes it is time for CAF to alter this practice, which was once common even in junior tournaments. Baloyi emphasizes that women's football players are not playing enough matches, and qualifying via WAFCON puts them under immense stress, as they must focus on both the current tournament and the subsequent World Cup qualification.
He also highlights the lack of professional women's leagues across Africa, noting that South Africa's Hollywoodbets Super League is one of the most well-run but remains semi-professional. Baloyi calls for increased professional leagues as the primary solution to improve women's football in Africa. He also points out the need for better player management and branding, emphasizing that the players who won WAFCON in 2022 and went on to the World Cup must learn to market themselves effectively.
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