By Kunle Solaja, Lagos

Nigeria’s record-chasing Super Falcons will literally carry their glorious African history on their shirts when they begin another quest for continental supremacy at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The defending champions have unveiled a striking new jersey featuring 10 stars around the team’s badge, each representing one of Nigeria’s record 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumphs.

It is a glittering reminder of a dynasty without equal in African football.

The Amstel Malta-backed Super Falcons gave the special jersey its first outing on Thursday, wearing it during their 2-1 international friendly victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars as preparations for the continental championship gathered momentum.

For Nigeria, however, the stars are far more than decorative additions to the famous green shirt. They are badges of conquest — symbols of decades of dominance in a competition the Super Falcons have made almost their own.

From the pioneering champions of the early years to the latest generation that delivered Nigeria’s landmark 10th crown, each star tells a chapter of an extraordinary continental story.

And already, there is room in the imagination for another.

Head coach Justine Madugu and his players will arrive at the 2026 WAFCON with one unmistakable mission: win an unprecedented 11th African title and add another star to the constellation.

Nigeria stand comfortably as the most successful nation in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the new jersey provides a vivid visual representation of that supremacy.

The 10 stars also give the Super Falcons a rare distinction. Few national teams anywhere can parade such an imposing collection of championship symbols from a single major continental competition.

But past glory will offer no guarantees in Morocco.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off on Saturday, with Africa’s leading women’s teams gathering for another battle for continental honours.

Nigeria will begin the defence of their crown on Tuesday against tournament debutants Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.

For Malawi, it will be a first taste of WAFCON football.

For the Super Falcons, it is familiar territory — another tournament, another title defence and another opportunity to enlarge an already extraordinary collection.

Ten stars are already shining on the shirt.

Now comes the quest for Star No. 11.

And there could hardly be a more fitting number in football. Eleven players make up a starting team, and Nigeria will be hoping that when the final whistle sounds on Morocco 2026, their famous shirt will have earned the right to carry an 11th star — one for every player who takes the field at kick-off.

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Ticket sales for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026 officially opened on Wednesday, July 22, giving football fans across Africa and beyond the opportunity to secure seats for the continent’s premier women’s football competition.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) launched the first phase of ticket sales in partnership with Visa, with the initial 48-hour window reserved exclusively for Visa cardholders.

Under the arrangement, Visa cardholders have early access to tickets for the group-stage matches before sales are opened to the general public.

The exclusive pre-sale, which began on Wednesday, will run until Thursday, July 23.

Visa, an official CAF partner and global digital payments company, is offering its cardholders priority access during the period as part of its partnership with African football’s governing body.

The opening of ticket sales represents another major step towards the staging of WAFCON Morocco 2026, as anticipation builds among supporters in the host country and across the African continent.

Morocco is again at the centre of African women’s football, having established itself as a major destination for CAF competitions in recent years.

Following the conclusion of the Visa-exclusive window, ticket sales will open to the wider football public as preparations for the continental championship gather momentum.

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a substantial increase in prize money for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the champions now set to receive a record prize of $2 million.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe said the new financial package reflects the governing body’s growing commitment to developing women’s football across the continent.

The winners’ prize has been increased by 100 per cent, while the tournament’s overall prize fund has risen by 67 percent, from $3.475 million to $5.8 million.

The runners-up will now receive $750,000, representing a 50 per cent increase, while the prize for the third-placed team has also been raised by 43 per cent.

In another major boost, each of the 16 participating national teams will receive $150,000 in participation funding, up from $125,000 in the previous edition.

CAF noted that since the current administration assumed office, the winners’ prize has grown by an extraordinary 900 per cent, rising from $200,000 to $2 million, while the overall prize fund has increased by 495 per cent, from $975,000 to $5.8 million.

The governing body also highlighted the expansion of the tournament itself, with the number of participating teams doubling from eight to sixteen.

CAF believes the enhanced financial incentives will contribute significantly to raising the standard and competitiveness of women’s football across Africa.

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