The latest qualifying matches for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) delivered plenty of excitement, with historic victories and surprising upsets. Newcomers Malawi and Cape Verde celebrated qualifying for the tournament for the first time ever, while Algeria stunned powerhouse Cameroon to secure their spot. These qualifiers, which also serve as a pathway to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, have highlighted the growing talent and competitiveness in African women’s football.
Beyond the WAFCON qualifiers, other tournaments have also showcased impressive progress. The stage is set for the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League, and in a special FIFA-supported series, Chad emerged as champions while the inspiring Afghanistan Women United team recorded their first-ever international victory.
🏆 Historic Wins and Major Upsets
The WAFCON qualifiers were full of unforgettable moments, especially for teams once considered underdogs. Malawi made history by securing their first-ever spot in the finals, thanks to a thrilling 2-0 victory over Angola. Young star Faith Chinzimu scored two late goals, sparking huge celebrations. Her success continues the legacy of Malawi’s famous footballing sisters, Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, proving that more top talent is emerging from the country.
Cape Verde also booked their ticket to the WAFCON finals for the first time after a dramatic 4-3 comeback win on aggregate against Mali. The small island nation, with a population of just over 500,000, showed incredible spirit to achieve this milestone. However, the biggest shock came from Algeria, who defeated African football giant Cameroon. With key goals from midfielder Marine Dafeur in both matches, Algeria won 3-1 on aggregate, knocking Cameroon out of the direct qualification spots.
⚽ Powerhouses Push Through Challenges
While new teams celebrated, established nations like Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Zambia also successfully secured their places in the WAFCON finals. Zambia’s star striker, Racheal Kundananji, was in top form, scoring a hat-trick in one match to help her team advance comfortably. Perennial champions Nigeria also moved forward, continuing their record of appearing in every WAFCON tournament.
South Africa, the 2022 champions, qualified after defeating DR Congo. The team overcame some off-field challenges, including contract negotiations for their respected coach, Desiree Ellis, which were successfully resolved. These situations highlight that even top teams face hurdles, but their determination on the pitch remains strong as they aim for another title and a spot at the World Cup.
🔄 A Surprising Twist Expands the Tournament
In an unexpected development, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that the 2026 WAFCON finals would be expanded from 12 to 16 teams. This decision came after the qualifying matches had finished. As a result, four teams that had been eliminated during the qualifiers—Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, and Mali—were given spots in the finals based on their official FIFA rankings. While this news softens the blow for the teams that initially missed out, it adds an interesting twist to the tournament lineup.
🌍 Growth Across the Continent
The progress in African women’s football is visible beyond national team competitions. The 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League, set to be held in Egypt, will feature a mix of experienced clubs like AS FAR of Morocco and defending champions TP Mazembe of DR Congo, alongside four first-time participants. With a significant increase in prize money, the club tournament is becoming more competitive and attractive.
Meanwhile, the FIFA Unites Women’s Series provided a valuable platform for developing teams. Chad won the four-team tournament, but the most heartwarming story was Afghanistan Women United—a team of refugee players—winning their first-ever international match with a 7-0 victory over Libya. These events demonstrate a bright future for women’s football across Africa and beyond, celebrating both victory and participation.
