WAFCON
On Mohammed VI coronation anniversary, Morocco Edge Ghana on Penalties to Reach Second Straight WAFCON Final
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
On the eve of celebrations marking the 26th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s ascension to the throne, hosts Morocco delivered a fitting gift to the nation by securing a place in a second successive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final.
In a gripping semi-final at the Stade Moulay Abdellah in Rabat on Tuesday night, the Atlas Lionesses edged Ghana 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in extra time, setting up a high-stakes final showdown with defending champions Nigeria on Saturday
Veteran goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi emerged the hero for Morocco, saving one spot kick while Ghana missed another, as the hosts continued their bid for a maiden continental title on home soil.
Ghana, meanwhile, will face South Africa in the third-place playoff on Friday after falling agonisingly short of reaching their first WAFCON final since 2006.
Ghana Strike First, Morocco Hit Back
The Black Queens made a strong start and deservedly took the lead in the 26th minute when midfielder Stella Nyamekye capitalised on a defensive lapse to fire home from inside the box following a corner.
The goal reflected Ghana’s early dominance, with coach Kim Björkegren’s side pressing high and creating chances through the lively trio of Doris Boaduwaa, Princess Marfo, and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.
But spurred on by a partisan home crowd, Morocco regrouped after the break and restored parity in the 55th minute.
Sakina Ouzraoui Diki bundled the ball into the net from close range following sustained pressure and a deflected effort from Ibtissam Jraïdi.
Late Drama and Missed Chances
The equaliser shifted the momentum in favour of the hosts, but Ghana remained a threat on the break, with Princella Adubea and Alice Kusi both coming close in the final moments of regular time.
Extra time saw further twists, as injuries forced key substitutions on both sides. Morocco’s Fatima Tagnaout and Ghana’s Princella Adubea both required treatment, while Ghana’s Evelyn Badu missed a golden opportunity in the 100th minute, heading wide from point-blank range.
As fatigue crept in, Morocco’s Hanane Aït El Haj and Jraïdi tested the Ghanaian defence, while Ghana’s final effort from distance narrowly missed the target, taking the game into penalties.
Penalties: Morocco Hold Their Nerve
In the shootout, Morocco were clinical, converting all four of their spot kicks through Aït El Haj, Jraïdi, Kenza Chapelle, and Anissa Lahmari. Ghana faltered, with Badu firing wide and Comfort Yeboah denied by Er-Rmichi.
The final whistle sparked jubilant celebrations among the Moroccan players and fans, as coach Jorge Vilda’s side reached back-to-back finals and continued their dream of lifting their first WAFCON crown.
Morocco will now face 11-time champions Nigeria in what promises to be a gripping final, a rematch of their memorable 2022 semi-final that ended in a Moroccan triumph.
Ghana, meanwhile, will look to salvage a podium finish when they face South Africa for bronze.
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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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