WAFCON
Points to Note Ahead of Botswana-Nigeria clash at WAFCON
Nigeria and Botswana will meet for the second time at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they clash in their second Group B match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca later this Thursday.
Their previous WAFCON encounter was also in the second group match of the 2022 edition.
Nigeria won 2-0 thanks to goals from Ifeoma Onumonu (21’) and Christy Ucheibe (48’). In that 2022 fixture, Nigeria came into the match having lost their opener to South Africa, while Botswana had started with a 4-2 win over Burundi.
Nigeria went on to beat both Botswana and Burundi, finishing second in the group behind South Africa.
Botswana lost their final two group matches but progressed as one of the best third-placed teams.
In the 2022 meeting, Botswana had just 26.3% possession against Nigeria, their lowest share in any WAFCON match to date.
Past WAFCON Meeting: Group C – 7 July 2022: Botswana 0–2 Nigeria (Onumonu 21’, Ucheibe 48’) BOTSWANA FACTS Lost their opening game 1-0 against Algeria. Are currently on a four-match losing streak at the finals.
Their last three defeats at the finals have all been by a one-goal margin (excluding repechage/play-off matches in 2022).
Their last WAFCON win came against Burundi in their 2024 opener. They have never kept a clean sheet at the finals, conceding in every match played.
This is only their second-ever second group match at WAFCON — the first was the 2-0 loss to Nigeria in 2022.
Botswana have scored just one goal in their last four WAFCON matches — that came in their 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Morocco in 2022.
Of Botswana’s five all-time WAFCON goals, four came in their 4-2 win over Burundi in 2022.
The other came against Morocco in the quarterfinals. Goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja made six saves in the 1-0 defeat to Algeria, matching her tally from the 2022 loss to Nigeria. All three of Botswana’s shots on target against Algeria came in the second half.
Nigeria began the 2024 tournament with a 3-0 win over Tunisia — their first opening-match win since 2016 (having lost in 2018 and 2022).
Nigeria have now won their last three WAFCON group games, scoring nine goals without conceding.
A win would mark Nigeria’s first back-to-back victories to start a tournament since 2014, when they beat Côte d’Ivoire 4-2 and Zambia 6-0.
If they keep a clean sheet, it will be the first time Nigeria go unbreached in their opening two matches since 1998 (8-0 vs Morocco and 6-0 vs DR Congo)
BOTSWANA FACTS
- Lost their opening game 1-0 against Algeria. They are now on a four-match losing streak at the finals.
- Their last three defeats at the finals have all been by a one-goal margin (excluding repechage/play-off matches in 2022).
- Their last WAFCON win came against Burundi in their 2024 opener.
- They have never kept a clean sheet at the finals, conceding in every match played.
- This is only their second-ever second group match at WAFCON — the first was the 2-0 loss to Nigeria in 2022.
- Botswana have scored just one goal in their last four WAFCON matches — that came in their 2-1 quarterfinal loss to Morocco in 2022.
- Of Botswana’s five all-time WAFCON goals, four came in their 4-2 win over Burundi in 2022.
- The other came against Morocco in the quarterfinals. Goalkeeper Sedilame Boseja made six saves in the 1-0 defeat to Algeria, matching her tally from the 2022 loss to Nigeria. All three of Botswana’s shots on target against Algeria came in the second half.
NIGERIA FACTS
- The Nigeria Super Falcons began the 2024 tournament with a 3-0 win over Tunisia — their first opening-match win since 2016 (having lost in 2018 and 2022).
- Nigeria have now won their last three WAFCON group games, scoring nine goals without conceding.
- A win this Thursday would mark Nigeria’s first back-to-back victories to start a tournament since 2014, when they beat Côte d’Ivoire 4-2 and Zambia 6-0.
- If they keep a clean sheet, it will be the first time Nigeria go unbreached in their opening two matches since 1998 (8-0 vs Morocco and 6-0 vs DR Congo).
- Nigeria’s record in second group matches at WAFCON: P12; W8 ; D3; L1. Their only defeat came in 2002 (0-1 vs Ghana).
- They have failed to win their second group game just three other times: 2-2 vs Cameroon (2004), 0-0 vs Tunisia (2008), 1-1 vs Ghana (2016).
- Nigeria have only twice failed to score in their second group match: the 2002 loss to Ghana and the 2008 draw with Cameroon.
- A win would be Nigeria’s 30th group stage victory in WAFCON history (P38 W29 D5 L3). Asisat Oshoala, who scored Nigeria’s opener against Tunisia, netted her 14th career WAFCON goal.
- She has now scored in four editions: 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2024. Nigeria had 24 goal attempts and 9 shots on target vs Tunisia — they faced no shots on target themselves. They completed 386 out of 465 attempted passes against Tunisia. Ashleigh Plumptre had a game-high 100 touches
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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