South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has contradicted claims by his deputy that the country will host this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). McKenzie moved swiftly to issue a statement clarifying South Africa’s position after Deputy Minister Peace Mabe’s comments on Sunday that SA has been confirmed as hosts, taking over from Morocco, who have reportedly pulled out of hosting at the eleventh hour. McKenzie said Mabe’s comments are premature. “As the Minister of…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Dr Patrice Motsepe, has confirmed an increase in prize money for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Motsepe made the revelation during Thursday’s group stage draw in Rabat for the tournament to be held in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026. Nigeria earned $1m (R16.3 million) when they won the tournament last year, while their male counterparts will earn $10m (R163 million) for winning the Africa Cup of Nations…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the expansion of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) from 12 to 16 teams, starting with the next edition to be staged in Morocco from 17 March-3 April 2026. As the qualification phase for the 2026 edition has already been completed, the Executive Committee has approved the selection mechanism to determine the four additional Teams. “Based on the current FIFA Women’s World Rankings, the top four teams from those eliminated…

Banyana Banyana have booked their place in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after beating DR Congo 1-0 in a second-leg qualifier (2-1 on aggregate) played at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday night. The South African senior women’s national team officially qualified for the continental tournament after a dramatic 1–0 victory courtesy of a lone strike from Thembi Kgatlana. After drawing 1–1 in Kinshasa during the first leg last week, Banyana Banyana entered the return fixture with a…

Nigeria’s dominance at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 has been further underlined after four of their players were named in the tournament’s official Best XI, as selected by CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG). The 11-player team, arranged in a 4-3-3 formation, features standout performers. Nigeria, who defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final on Saturday night to clinch their tenth WAFCON crown, contributed the highest number of players to the elite line-up. Super Falcons goalkeeper Chiamaka…

Nigerian forward Rasheedat Ajibade has been named the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 Woman of the Tournament. The 25-year-old was instrumental for the Super Falcons and guided them to their 10th record-extending title, beating Morocco 3-2 in the final played in Rabat over the weekend. “From the opening whistle to the final game, she stood tall even when the odds looked like they were against her. Just like the leader that she is, she displayed her relentlessness and…

Nigeria staged an extraordinary second-half comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and lift their 10th CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown at the Stade Olympique in Rabat on Saturday night. Trailing 2-0 at half-time in front of a partisan Moroccan crowd, the Super Falcons showed their pedigree and resilience, clawing their way back into the match with a display of clinical finishing and sheer determination to cement their status as queens of African football. Goals from Esther Okoronkwo,…

Defending champions Banyana Banyana have settled for fourth place at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Ghana held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat South Africa and claim the bronze medal in Casablanca, Morocco, on Friday night. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the Black Queens triumphed 4-3 in the shootout at Stade Larbi Zaouli to seal third place in the tournament. It was a fitting end to a thrilling encounter between two fierce rivals…

Banyana Banyana have failed to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, falling to Nigeria in the semi-finals. Nigeria edged archrivals South Africa 2-1 in a pulsating last-four clash played on Tuesday evening at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. In a match billed as a “final before the final,” Rasheedat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie delivered when it mattered most, scoring on either side of a Linda Motlhalo penalty to help the Super Falcons avenge their 2022 group…

Banyana Banyana versus Nigeria’s Super Falcons in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals could be regarded as a final before the final. The two sides will clash at the 30,000-seater Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Tuesday evening (18H00). Nigeria is ranked number one in Africa, followed by the WAFCON defending champions Banyana Banyana in second spot. It is certainly a must-watch match. Former Nigeria and South Africa captains Desire Oparanozie and Amanda Dlamini, both now CAF co-commentators,…