One potential source of income could be from improved broadcast deals and commercial contracts, even if viewers for the women’s game are lower than men’s matches.
“We play the same sport but it’s not the same world. We can understand that,” Morocco forward Sakina Ouzraoui said.
“We are always asking for more viewers, but we cannot have that tomorrow, so we have to be patient.”
Caf has been busy signing sponsorships for the 2025 Afcon but now needs to build on corresponding deals for Wafcon.
One executive from a multinational which recently partnered with Caf for Afcon said his company is “absolutely” interested in expanding its sponsorship to the women’s game.
“Women’s football is a sport, but it’s also a business,” Ghana forward Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah told BBC Sport Africa.
“So, for me, the more fans that are engaging in women’s football, the more shirt sales, the more broadcast views, that’s only going to make the women get paid more.”
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (RMFF) leads the way when it comes to supporting the club game in Africa – although their strategy is backed fully and bankrolled by funds from King Mohammed VI.
The North African nation aims to establish its women’s league as the best on the continent and the RMFF provides $500 (£373) a month per player to each top-flight club to help guarantee salaries.
However, no other country has such reserves. Instead, they largely rely on prize money and distributions from Caf and world governing body Fifa.
Caf may have asked for patience on attendances at Wafcon, but Morocco will have an early chance to improve on the current benchmark when the 2026 finals – scheduled to be played in March next year – come around.
