African Women’s Champions League: No plans to expand eight-team finals

Ellis will be keeping a close eye on the action in Casablanca and El Jadida, with 11 members of the Banyana Banyana squad which faced Denmark and England in friendlies last month involved in the tournament.

“It’s a different set-up to national team football, but it’s still an environment where you are challenged,” she said.

“The experience that players gain in these competitions is second to none.”

Ellis also says the finals will provide a “shop window” for the best players based on the continent to be scouted by top sides around the world.

Ghana forward Evelyn Badu sealed a move to Norway after finishing top scorer in 2021, while 2022 golden boot winner Ibtissam Jraidi now plies her trade in Saudi Arabia and Tanzania’s Opah Clement is in Turkey.

“The talent is there and you see the development of players coming through,” Ellis said.

“I don’t think the talent being regularly taken to Europe is devaluing the competition. Because I think if you look over the last three years, the competition has gotten better and better.”

In the long term, Caf will also aim to assist the two African qualifiers for the inaugural 16-team Fifa Women’s Club World Cup, which will be played in early 2026.

“We want to make sure we have strong representation,” Gomishe said.

“Once we determine who is going to be going to the Club World Cup we will make sure those two clubs are supported and have friendlies available for them.”