WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Morocco and Senegal Set for High-Stakes Rematch in Rabat
The Olympic Stadium in Rabat will host a decisive Group A showdown this Saturday night as hosts Morocco face Senegal in their final group match at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with kick-off set for 20:00 local time (19:00 GMT).
This encounter marks only the second time the two sides will meet at WAFCON. Their first clash came in 2022, when Morocco edged Senegal 1-0 thanks to a 55th-minute penalty by captain Ghizlane Chebbak.
Both teams advanced to the knockout stages that year—Morocco as group winners and Senegal as runners-up.
The stakes are high once again. Morocco need at least a draw to guarantee top spot in the group, regardless of the result in the simultaneous Zambia vs. Democratic Republic of Congo game.
Senegal, meanwhile, can secure a quarterfinal berth with a win—or even a draw—depending on other group results, as they remain in contention for one of the best third-placed team slots.
Morocco’s Momentum and Home Fortitude
Morocco remain unbeaten in WAFCON group matches as hosts, with three wins and two draws. However, their defensive solidity has come into question—after conceding four goals in just two games at this tournament, compared to five across six matches in 2022.
The Atlas Lionesses have shown remarkable resilience, coming from behind in both of their group matches—a 1-1 draw with Zambia and a 4-2 win over DR Congo.
The comeback win against DR Congo marked only the second time Morocco have scored four goals in a WAFCON game.
Star forward Ghizlane Chebbak has been at the heart of Morocco’s success. The team captain has scored four goals in this tournament, bringing her total to seven WAFCON goals—all in the group stage.
Her recent hat-trick against DR Congo was the first by a non-Nigerian at WAFCON since 2012 and made her the first Moroccan player, male or female, to score four goals in a single AFCON or WAFCON edition.
Senegal Seek Redemption and Historic Progress
Senegal enter the clash with mixed fortunes. A 3-2 loss to Zambia in their last match halted their momentum, but the Lionesses of Teranga remain within reach of a second consecutive quarterfinal qualification.
Their defeat to Zambia marked the first time Senegal lost a WAFCON game after scoring first and the first time they scored more than one goal in open play yet failed to win.
Still, the team showed attacking promise, increasing possession and producing more shots on target in the second half.
Nguenar Ndiaye has been a standout performer for Senegal, scoring four goals in the tournament so far—including braces in both group matches.
With six WAFCON goals to her name, Ndiaye has now found the net in three consecutive WAFCON matches, matching a feat last achieved by Senegalese men’s star Sadio Mané at AFCON 2017.
Senegal will be aiming to win their final group game at a WAFCON for the first time, having lost their last matches in both 2012 and 2022.
Victory over Morocco could secure top spot in Group A if Zambia fail to win, while a draw might still be enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
A Battle of Form and Fortitude
Morocco have never lost a WAFCON group game on home soil, but they are yet to keep a clean sheet in their last five matches in the finals.
Senegal, meanwhile, have yet to score against a tournament host, losing 5-0 to Equatorial Guinea in 2012 and 1-0 to Morocco in 2022.
With Chebbak in fine form for Morocco and Ndiaye leading Senegal’s charge, Saturday’s clash promises to be a thrilling encounter—one that could reshape the knockout picture and add another dramatic chapter to the tournament’s growing legacy.
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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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