The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off this Sunday in Morocco, with a record $2 million first prize and World Cup qualification up for grabs.
This year’s tournament features a record 16 nations—an increase from 12 in the previous edition—competing for the title. Nigeria, 10-time champions and reigning title-holders, remain the team to beat.
The Super Falcons’ last triumph was dramatic: after trailing Morocco 2-0 at halftime, they mounted a thrilling comeback, with Jennifer Echegini scoring a late winner for a 3-2 victory. Echegini, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, returns to lead Nigeria’s quest for another gold medal at Africa’s premier women’s football event, hosted by Morocco for the third consecutive time.
Joining Echegini are Canada-based Esther Okoronkwo and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi, both goal scorers in the previous final, who are eager to add to their accolades. Nigeria’s coach, Justine Madugu, told reporters that the team’s first objective is to reach the semi-finals and secure one of the four automatic World Cup spots reserved for Africa.
Our second goal is to defend the trophy and bring it back to Nigeria, Madugu said. We know it won’t be easy, as every other nation is aiming to dethrone us. But we remain resolute and focused on achieving both objectives.
Madugu has selected a 25-player squad blending experience and youth, with members playing for clubs as far apart as Mexico, Israel, and China. The team also includes one home-based player, goalkeeper Fatima Oloko from Abia Angels.
However, England-born defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who plays for Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, misses out due to injury.
Midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade, another PSG player, will captain a squad that includes Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, widely considered Africa’s best. The tournament format sees group winners and runners-up from four mini-leagues advance to the quarter-finals. Nigeria’s Group C rivals include formidable Zambia, organized Egypt, and debutants Malawi.
Zambia’s Racheal Kundananji, who made a world-record transfer to Bay FC in the U.S. in 2024, and prolific striker Barbra Banda, will be key threats. Malawi, seen as underdogs, boast the talented Chawinga sisters—Tabitha (Lyon) and Temwa (Kansas City Current).
Since the tournament’s inception in 1998, only Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea (twice), and South Africa (once) have lifted the trophy. Equatorial Guinea did not qualify this year, while South Africa—now top seeds in Group B will face Tanzania, Ivory Coast, and Burkina Faso.
Hosts Morocco, runners-up in the last two editions, are drawn in Group A with Algeria, Senegal, and Kenya. The Morocco-Algeria clash on July 30 promises high tension, given the strained political relationship between the neighbors, rooted in disputes over Western Sahara and historical borders.
Group D features 2024 bronze medalists Ghana, three-time runners-up Cameroon, and newcomers Cape Verde, who hope to emulate the men’s team’s inspiring run at the 2026 World Cup.
The tournament will be played across three stadiums in Morocco’s capital Rabat and two in Casablanca, with 34 matches scheduled. This includes two games between quarter-final losers to determine intercontinental World Cup play-off spots.
—AFP
