Adedokun Waliyu 
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, with a record prize of two million dollars for the champions and four automatic qualification spots for the FIFA Women’s World Cup up for grabs.
A record 16 teams, up from 12 at the previous edition, will compete in the tournament, with defending champions and 10-time winners Nigeria’s Super Falcons entering as favourites.
Nigeria will be aiming to defend the title they won dramatically in 2025 after coming from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final. Jennifer Echegini scored the winning goal, while Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi also found the net.
The trio returns for this year’s tournament as the Super Falcons seek another continental triumph.
Head coach Justine Madugu said the team’s first objective is to reach the semi-finals and secure one of Africa’s four automatic places at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
He added that the second goal is to successfully defend the WAFCON title, acknowledging that every competing nation will be eager to dethrone Nigeria.
Madugu has selected a 25-player squad that combines experienced stars with emerging talents playing in leagues across Europe, Asia and North America. Goalkeeper Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels is the only home-based player in the squad.
Defender Ashleigh Plumptre misses the tournament due to injury, while midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade will captain the team. She will be joined by Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Jennifer Echegini and Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, widely regarded as one of Africa’s finest goalkeepers.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.
Zambia will rely on star forwards Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda, while Malawi boast the talented Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa, making the group one of the most competitive in the tournament.
Since the competition began in 1998, Nigeria have won a record 10 titles. Only Equatorial Guinea, with two titles, and South Africa, with one, have also lifted the trophy.
Hosts Morocco headline Group A with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya, while defending runners-up South Africa lead Group B alongside Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso.
Group D features Ghana, Cameroon and newcomers Cape Verde.
The tournament will be staged across five stadiums in Rabat and Casablanca, with a total of 34 matches to be played. Two additional playoff matches between quarter-final losers will determine Africa’s representatives in the intercontinental FIFA Women’s World Cup playoffs.
