Cape Verde and Malawi have made history by qualifying for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the very first time, joining reigning champions Nigeria and a host of African powerhouses at next year’s tournament in Morocco. The milestone marks a major leap forward for women’s football in both nations and highlights the growing depth of talent across the continent.
For Malawi, qualification came after a thrilling 2-0 aggregate victory over Angola, with midfielder Faith Chinzimu emerging as the hero. Her two late goals in Lilongwe secured the Scorchers’ ticket to Morocco following a tense goalless draw in the first leg. Captain Tabitha Chawinga, one of Africa’s most accomplished players, praised the tournament’s expansion from 12 to 16 teams, saying it would offer “great exposure” for emerging nations.
In another emotional triumph, Cape Verde stunned Mali with a dramatic comeback, overturning a first-leg deficit to win 4-2 away in Bamako and advance 4-3 on aggregate. The victory sparked nationwide celebrations, coming just weeks after Cape Verde’s men’s team qualified for the FIFA World Cup, cementing a golden moment in the island nation’s football history.
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons of Nigeria continued their dominance on the continent, defeating Benin 3-1 on aggregate to book their place in the finals. Defender Ashleigh Plumptre was on target in the second leg, which ended 1-1 in Abeokuta. Nigeria will now look to defend the title they captured in 2022, as they chase a record-extending 12th continental crown.
Elsewhere, Kenya’s Harambee Starlets sealed their return to the continental stage after beating The Gambia 4-1 on aggregate, marking their second-ever appearance at WAFCON since 2016. Burkina Faso also confirmed their spot, overcoming Togo 3-0 over two legs.
The list of confirmed qualifiers now includes Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania, Zambia, and South Africa, the 2022 champions. South Africa’s Banyana Banyana narrowly escaped a scare against the Democratic Republic of Congo, clinching qualification thanks to a dramatic 91st-minute goal by Thembi Kgatlana in Johannesburg.
With hosts Morocco already guaranteed a place, 12 teams have now secured their tickets to the expanded 16-team tournament. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced earlier this year that the remaining four spots could still be contested by some of the second-round losing sides, giving them another chance to qualify.
While CAF is yet to confirm official dates, FIFA has indicated that the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is expected to take place between 17 March and 3 April 2026.
The upcoming edition promises to be the most competitive yet, showcasing a new wave of African footballing nations determined to challenge the traditional giants and make their mark on the global stage.
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