WAFCON
New Faces, Old Rivalries — WAFCON 2026 Promises a Battle of Eras
Twelve nations have officially booked their tickets to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, setting the stage for another captivating edition of the continent’s premier women’s football tournament.
Ten-time champions Nigeria headline the list of qualified teams and remain the undisputed benchmark in African women’s football.
With their eyes firmly set on record-extending 11th continental crown, the Super Falcons will enter Morocco 2026 as strong favourites to extend their dominance and reaffirm their legacy.
Their mix of experience and emerging stars has continued to deliver consistency, making Nigeria the team every rival measures themselves against.
Morocco Aim to Turn Passion into Glory
As hosts, Morocco will be driven by their passionate home supporters, hoping to go one better after falling narrowly to South Africa (1–2) in the 2022 final and 2-3 to Nigeria earlier this year. The Atlas Lionesses, runners-up at the last two editions, have become one of the continent’s most technically polished sides and will seek to translate home advantage into a maiden title.
Familiar Faces and Rising Challengers
Ghana, who finished third at the previous tournament, return with renewed ambition, while Zambia and South Africa—both now permanent fixtures among Africa’s elite—complete a formidable group of favourites. In a competition where margins are often slim, every detail could decide the difference between triumph and heartbreak.
Yet, Morocco 2026 will not just be about the established powers. Cape Verde and Malawi will both make historic first appearances, marking a significant milestone in the development of women’s football within their nations.
Meanwhile, Kenya and Burkina Faso, returning to the finals after lengthy absences, will aim to prove their progress and secure their footing among the continent’s best.
Emerging Sides Extend Their Momentum
Several rising teams also continued their upward trajectory during the qualifiers. Senegal, Algeria, and Tanzania advanced in convincing fashion, underlining the growing parity and quality across African women’s football.
The widening competitive field reflects a sport in transformation—one where traditional hierarchies are being steadily challenged and the talent pool continues to deepen.
Road to Brazil 2027
Beyond continental bragging rights, the 2026 WAFCON carries significant implications for global football. The four semi-finalists will earn automatic qualification to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™ in Brazil, while two additional nations will have a second chance throughthe intercontinental play-offs.
With World Cup tickets and continental glory on the line, every match, every point, and every goal will carry weight as the continent’s best converge on Morocco next year.
Qualified Nations for Morocco 2026 WAFCON:
Morocco (hosts), Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Zambia, Senegal, Algeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Malawi
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Champions Nigeria qualified for next year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations after a 1-1 draw with Bénin Republic in the return leg of the final round of the qualification series in Abeokuta on Tuesday, which resulted in an aggregate 3-1 win for the 10-time winners.
The Amazons turned out to be credible fighters at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena, as they approached the game with vigour, passion and vibrancy, with the pacy and nimble-footed Dossi Germaine Honfo and Yenido Romaine Gandonou the lead orchestrators.
However, the Super Falcons were calm, collected and confident, and the Amazons’ rearguard had to spiritedly clear their lines after Captain Rasheedat Ajibade freed Asisat Oshoala as the Falcons surged forward in the 8th minute.
Five minutes later, it was no surprise that they got on the scoresheet, when defender Ashley Plumptre nodded firmly into the net from a corner by Esther Okoronkwo.
In the 23rd minute, Oshoala’s firm header from another Okoronkwo corner missed narrowly, and in the 34th minute, Michelle Alozie’s header was a little above the sticks from Oshoala’s cross. There was still time for Okoronkwo to side-net from a free-kick with four minutes left in the first period.
The Amazons began to pour forward in the 56th minute, when Chiamaka Nnadozie saved from Gandonou, and then had to stretch full length to push away a shot from 25 yards by Yolande Gnammi two minutes later.
The game turned into a real contest on the hour, when Yasminath Djibril struck the ball high and above Nnadozie into the net from a free-kick on the left, for the equalizer.
Nigeria had opportunities to increase the tally, with Folashade Ijamilusi missing from close range after goalkeeper Sourakatou Alassane uncharacteristically dropped the ball, and Alassane saved from Ajibade in the 77th minute. Substitute Joy Omewa and Ijamilusi combined in the 90th minute, but Alassane was up to the task.
Qualification means Nigeria have the opportunity to not only defend their title in Morocco next year, but also aim for an 11th title in 14 championships, as well as a ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
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Head Coach Justine Madugu says Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not underestimate the Amazons of Bénin Republic when both teams clash in the second leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying fixture in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
Nigeria, ten-time African champions, are firmly in control of the tie after a 2–0 first-leg victory in Lome on Friday, courtesy of goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo.
But Madugu insists the return leg at the MKO Abiola Stadium Complex, Abeokuta, will be no walk in the park.
“We are looking forward to a tough game from the Beninoise, but we will be ready,” Madugu said. “Our goal is qualification for the 2026 WAFCON, where we hope to retain our title and further qualify for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027.”
The coach warned that the Amazons, who boast about ten foreign-based players from Germany, France, Morocco, and Equatorial Guinea, have the quality to pose serious threats.
“They gave a good account of themselves in the first leg. Underrating any African team now could be at your own peril. We’re not taking anything for granted — we’ll be ready to go all out for victory,” he added.
Madugu is expected to stick largely with the squad that started in Lome, led by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, with Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, and Ashley Plumptre in defence. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Deborah Abiodun, and Taiwo Afolabi will marshal the midfield, while Ihezuo, Okoronkwo, and Folashade Ijamilusi lead the attack.
‘Gazelle’ Esther Okoronkwo in full flow on Friday.
Six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala and youngsters Joy Omewa and Kafayat Mafisere remain strong options from the bench.
The match kicks off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in Abeokuta, with the aggregate winner booking a ticket to the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, slated for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
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Cup holders and 10-time champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, top the list of African heavyweights who look set to book their places at next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals, the 14th edition of which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco.
The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, who finished runners-up in the last two editions they hosted — losing to South Africa in 2022 and to Nigeria earlier this year — have already qualified automatically as hosts of the 2026 tournament, which will run from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
While Nigeria underlined their dominance in African women’s football with a 2–0 first-leg win over the Amazons of Benin Republic in Lome on Friday, Zambia, who were humbled by the Falcons in the last tournament, triumphed 4–2 away to Namibia in Windhoek and are firm favourites to complete the job at home in Ndola on Tuesday.
Elsewhere, Ghana’s Black Queens cruised to a 3–0 victory over Egypt in Cairo and will look to finish the job in Accra, while Mali’s senior women eked out a narrow 1–0 win away to Cape Verde in Praia.
Other notable results saw Angola and Malawi play out a goalless draw in Luanda, just as Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire shared the spoils (0–0) in Dakar. Kenya’s Harambee Starlets defeated The Gambia 3–1 in Nairobi, and Algeria edged Cameroon 2–1 in a tightly contested fixture.
Burkina Faso and Tanzania also have one foot in the next round after recording 2–0 first-leg wins over Togo and Ethiopia respectively, while South Africa’s Banyana Banyana secured a valuable 1–1 away draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The second legs of all ties will be played between Sunday and Tuesday, with Ethiopia hosting Tanzania in Addis Ababa before the other 10 fixtures take centre stage on Tuesday.
Nigeria will host Benin Republic at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, on Tuesday from 4 p.m., carrying a two-goal cushion courtesy of Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo, who were both on target in the first leg.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Dominique Rosa Hanjavola of Madagascar as the centre referee, assisted by Claris Simango (Zimbabwe) and Hasimbola Rasoloniaina (Madagascar), while Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe) will serve as fourth official. Christine Ziga of Ghana will act as match commissioner, with Ndeye Fatou Seye of Senegal as referee assessor.
With dominant first-leg performances across several venues, the stage is set for the continent’s powerhouses — led by Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Mali — to confirm their places in Morocco 2026, where the battle for continental supremacy will once again unfold.
2026 WAFCON Final Qualifying Fixtures: First Leg Results
- Bénin Republic 0-2 Nigeria
- Angola 0-0 Malawi
- DR Congo 1-1 South Africa
- Tanzania 2-0 Ethiopia
- Namibia 2-4 Zambia
- Burkina Faso 2-0 Togo
- Algeria 2-1 Cameroon
- Egypt 0-3 Ghana
- Kenya 3-1 Gambia
- Cape Verde 0-1 Mali
Senegal 0-0 Cote d’Ivoire
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