By Kunle Solaja, Casablanca

Rabat will take centre stage in African women’s football on Thursday, 15 January 2025, when the Final Draw for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 is conducted.

The ceremony, scheduled for 14:00 local time (13:00 GMT / 15:00 Cairo), will also feature the announcement of winners in key women’s categories at the CAF Awards, underscoring a landmark day for the women’s game on the continent.

Organised by the Confédération of African Football, the draw represents a historic milestone for the competition, which will feature an expanded 16-team format for the first time.

The qualified teams for Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 are hosts Morocco alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.

In addition to the draw, CAF will unveil the winners of three women’s football awards that were originally slated for the CAF Awards 2025 ceremony but postponed due to the ongoing CAF Women’s Champions League season. CAF recently reopened voting for the affected categories.

The awards to be announced are:

• CAF Women’s Coach of the Year
• CAF Women’s Interclub Player of the Year
• CAF Women’s Club of the Year

CAF clarified that while it oversees and coordinates the process, it does not participate directly in voting.

Voting panels vary by category, with the Women’s Interclub Player of the Year decided by media representatives as well as captains and coaches from the CAF Women’s Champions League. The Women’s Coach of the Year is voted on by media and Member Association coaches, while the Women’s Club of the Year is determined by media and the CAF Women’s Technical Committee.

Thursday’s events in Rabat are expected to set the tone for what promises to be a defining edition of Africa’s premier women’s football tournament.

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The 2025/26 Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) Premiership resumed in emphatic fashion on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, as Matchday Five delivered nine fixtures across the country, producing four away victories and reaffirming the league’s growing competitiveness.

In Lagos, FC Robo Queens maintained their flawless start to the season with a slim but crucial 1–0 win over debutants Ahudiyannem Queens. Opeyemi Ajakaye struck within seconds of kick-off, a goal that proved decisive as the Lagos-based side recorded a fifth straight victory—the longest active winning streak in the league. Ahudiyannem Queens, meanwhile, are still searching for their maiden NWFL Premiership win.

Away from home, Osun Babes secured a vital 1–0 triumph over Confluence Queens in Iyahmo, deepening the hosts’ early-season struggles. Naimot Kazeem’s 62nd-minute strike sealed maximum points for the visitors.

Former champions Rivers Angels underlined their resurgence with an emphatic 3–0 away victory against Adamawa Queens in Makwada. Forward Abasiofon Uwah stole the spotlight with a second-half hat-trick, becoming the first player this season to score three goals in a single match.

In Ikenne, Nasarawa Amazons handed Remo Stars Ladies their first defeat of the campaign, grinding out a 1–0 win at the Remo Stars Stadium. Ayatsea Hembafan’s 11th-minute effort—striking the post before crossing the line—was enough to settle the contest.

Abia Angels also enjoyed success on the road, claiming a 2–0 victory over Sunshine Queens, with goals from Ekezie Onyedikachi and Winner David ensuring a comfortable outcome.

Home advantage counted in Asaba, where Delta Queens defeated Dannaz Ladies 2–0, courtesy of goals from Amarachukwu Onuorah and Rita Tsebee.

Defending champions Bayelsa Queens edged a closely fought South-South derby, beating Ibom Angels 2–1. First-half goals from Kesiena Ojiyovwi and Janet Akekeromowei proved decisive, despite a spirited second-half response from Helen David.

Elsewhere, Ekiti Queens, playing at their adopted home ground in Abeokuta, recorded a 1–0 win over Naija Ratels FC, with Ismail Zainab netting the winner in the 73rd minute.

The only drawn game of the round came in Ibadan, where Pacesetter Queens and Heartland Queens battled to a goalless stalemate.

As Matchday Five concludes, the NWFL Premiership continues to gather momentum, with early frontrunners asserting their title ambitions while others look to regroup ahead of the next round of fixtures.

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The Nigeria Women’s Football League has handed down heavy sanctions to Ibom Angels FC following crowd violence and the assault on players and officials of Bayelsa Queens during their Premiership clash in Uyo.

The disciplinary measures were announced on Thursday, 8 January 2026, after the league reviewed match officials’ reports and video footage from the Matchday Five encounter played on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, at the Uyo Township Stadium, Akwa Ibom State.

According to the NWFL, supporters of Ibom Angels invaded the field of play and physically attacked players and officials of Bayelsa Queens, actions the league described as a grave breach of its regulations and the principles of fair play.

As a consequence, Ibom Angels were fined a total of ₦2.5 million for multiple infractions. The breakdown includes ₦1.5 million for violating Article 26.1 of the NWFL regulations, which addresses assault, intimidation and offensive conduct, and an additional ₦1 million for bringing the game into disrepute and failing to provide adequate security.

In addition to the financial penalty, the league ordered Ibom Angels to play their next three home matches behind closed doors, in accordance with Article 16.4 of the NWFL regulations.

Commenting on the decision, NWFL Chief Operating Officer Modupe Shabi said the sanctions were imposed to safeguard the integrity of the league and guarantee the safety of all participants.

“The safety of players, officials and match personnel is non-negotiable,” Shabi said. “What occurred in Uyo represents a serious breach of our regulations and the values of the NWFL. We will take stiffer actions against any club whose supporters engage in violence or conduct capable of bringing the league into disrepute.”

The fixtures affected by the closed-door order are Ibom Angels’ home matches against Ekiti Queens, Edo Queens and Naija Ratels, scheduled to be played in January and February.

The NWFL also warned that failure to comply with the sanctions, or a recurrence of similar incidents, could result in stiffer penalties, including extended venue bans and further disciplinary action.

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