WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Confident South Africa Target Third Consecutive Final in Fierce Semi-Final Duel with Nigeria
Defending champions South Africa will aim to reach a third consecutive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final when they face arch-rivals Nigeria in Tuesday’s eagerly anticipated semi-final showdown in Casablanca.
Banyana Banyana’s march to the last four marks their 11th WAFCON semi-final appearance—second only to Nigeria’s 13.
With five wins and five losses in previous semis, South Africa will be looking to tilt the balance and book a place in their sixth final.
Victory would also see South Africa achieve a rare feat: reaching three successive WAFCON finals. Only Nigeria have managed that, with back-to-back finals from 1998 to 2006 and again from 2014 to 2018.
Under head coach Desiree Ellis, South Africa has become a model of consistency. This will be their third semi-final appearance in a row under her watch, following a 2-0 win over Mali in 2018 and a dramatic 1-0 victory over Zambia in 2022.
Banyana Banyana are in safe hands under former skipper and now coach, Desiree Ellis.
Banyana Banyana went on to lift their first-ever WAFCON title in Morocco, and now seek to defend it.
The South Africans are riding an impressive 15-match unbeaten run in open play at WAFCON—just one shy of Nigeria’s all-time record of 16.
Their last regulation-time defeat came in 2016, a 1-0 semi-final loss to Nigeria, which they’ll be eager to avenge.
Ellis’ side has also dominated West African opposition in recent years, going unbeaten in their last seven WAFCON matches against teams from the region (W5 D2).
In knockout play under Ellis, Banyana Banyana boast a perfect record in regulation time—winning all four of their direct knockout matches (vs. Senegal in 2018 and 2024, Tunisia in 2022, and Zambia in 2022), with five clean sheets in six outings.
Statistically, South Africa has been one of the most efficient sides at WAFCON 2024. They lead all semi-finalists in shots on target (24), while goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has made 13 saves in just three matches—surpassing her 2022 tournament total.
Dlamini has kept six clean sheets in nine WAFCON appearances, conceding only three times.
Coach Ellis also has another dependable option between the sticks—Kaylin Swart, who shut out Nigeria twice in 2018, first in a 1-0 group stage win and again in the goalless final that Nigeria eventually won on penalties.
South Africa have shown admirable discipline as well, committing the fewest fouls (36) among the semi-finalists, while being fouled 54 times—highlighting their composure and ability to draw pressure.
Their current run of four consecutive WAFCON knockout wins is the longest in their history. The last time they lost a knockout match was in the 2016 semi-final against none other than Nigeria.
Their overall knockout record now reads seven wins and five losses (including three penalty shootouts). Their only shoot-out victory came in this year’s quarter-final win over Senegal, having previously lost in 2006 (vs. Cameroon) and in the 2018 final (vs. Nigeria).
Now, with history and redemption on the line, Banyana Banyana must once again navigate the familiar challenge of toppling the Super Falcons—African football’s most decorated side.
It’s a battle of champions. Of records and revenge. And when Nigeria and South Africa take to the pitch in Casablanca on Tuesday, the whole continent will be watching.
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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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