{"id":25172,"date":"2025-10-29T03:34:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T03:34:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kick442.com\/?p=25172"},"modified":"2025-10-29T04:14:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T04:14:38","slug":"wafcon-2026-nigeria-south-africa-lead-12-team-line-up-for-morocco-showpiece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kick442.com\/fr\/wafcon-2026-nigeria-south-africa-lead-12-team-line-up-for-morocco-showpiece\/","title":{"rendered":"WAFCON 2026: Nigeria, South Africa Lead 12-Team Line-up for Morocco Showpiece"},"content":{"rendered":"

Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi<\/strong>
\nFootball Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

The full cast for the 2026 Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) has now been confirmed, with twelve nations booking their places for the continental showpiece to be hosted by Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The tournament will feature two debutants \u2014 Malawi and Cape Verde \u2014 while heavyweights Nigeria and South Africa return as reigning and former champions respectively. Player release is scheduled for 9 March 2026, giving teams a week to prepare before kick-off.<\/p>\n

The qualifiers were rich in drama, from Marine Dafeur\u2019s thunderbolt that broke Cameroon\u2019s Lionesses\u2019 back to Faith Chinzimu\u2019s late double that wrote Malawi into history. Below is how each of the 12 teams earned their ticket \u2014 and what to expect in Morocco.<\/p>\n

Morocco (Hosts \u2013 5th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

Morocco will be competing at their third consecutive WAFCON, and the Atlas Lionesses have been among the most consistent performers in recent years, reaching the finals in both 2022 and 2024. Now coached by Jorge Vilda, the former Spain boss who led his country to the 2023 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup title, Morocco\u2019s ambitions are clear \u2014 they want to win their first African crown on home soil.<\/p>\n

Led by Ghislaine Chabbak and the experienced Fatima Tagnout, the hosts have combined European tactical structure with North African flair. Their fans will expect nothing less than another deep run, and anything short of a final appearance would be considered a disappointment.<\/p>\n

Algeria (7th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

Algeria stunned the continent with their 1\u20130 victory away to Cameroon, sealing a 3\u20131 aggregate win and dumping the Lionesses out of WAFCON qualification. Marine Dafeur\u2019s crisp 22nd-minute strike was the decisive blow \u2014 a moment that \u201cbroke Cameroon\u2019s back\u201d and ended their hopes of returning to the top table.<\/p>\n

This qualification marks a major step forward for Algeria, who showed strong defensive organisation and composure under pressure. With a blend of experience and young pace, the Algerians will arrive in Morocco looking to make an impression beyond the group stage.<\/p>\n

Burkina Faso (2nd Appearance)<\/h3>\n

The Stallions of Burkina Faso sealed their second consecutive WAFCON qualification with a professional 3\u20130 aggregate win over Togo. Adama Congo\u2019s first-half strike in Lom\u00e9 confirmed their passage, capping a campaign built on defensive solidity and teamwork.<\/p>\n

Having made their debut at the previous edition, Burkina Faso are gradually establishing themselves as a steady presence in the women\u2019s game. Their target in Morocco will be to go a step further and reach the knockout rounds for the first time.<\/p>\n

Cape Verde (Debutants)<\/h3>\n

History was written in Bamako as Cape Verde defeated Mali 4\u20132 away from home to win 4\u20133 on aggregate and qualify for their first-ever WAFCON. A stunning first-half blitz saw Larissa Melo, Iv\u00e2nia Moreira, and Eleia Vieira score within ten minutes before Evy Pereira added a fourth.<\/p>\n

Their fearless, attacking style turned heads across the continent and proved that Cape Verde are no mere participants. They will go to Morocco as one of Africa\u2019s most exciting debutants, capable of troubling even seasoned opponents.<\/p>\n

Ghana (12th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

The Black Queens stormed back onto the continental stage after missing the 2022 edition, dismantling Egypt 4\u20130 in Accra to seal a commanding 7\u20130 aggregate victory. Doris Boaduwaa stole the show with a second-half hat-trick, while Comfort Yeboah was also on target.<\/p>\n

With their goal-scoring power restored and new energy injected into the side, Ghana will enter WAFCON 2026 as genuine contenders. Their objective will be clear \u2014 reclaim their lost glory and challenge Nigeria and South Africa for the title.<\/p>\n

Kenya (2nd Appearance)<\/h3>\n

Kenya\u2019s Harambee Starlets showed composure and tactical maturity as they edged The Gambia 1\u20130 away to complete a 4\u20131 aggregate win. Mwanahalima Adam Jereko scored the lone goal that sealed their qualification.<\/p>\n

After years of instability and off-field challenges, Kenya\u2019s return to WAFCON marks a new beginning. Their solid defensive structure and speed on the break could make them a tricky opponent in Morocco.<\/p>\n

Malawi (Debutants)<\/h3>\n

The Scorchers of Malawi are heading to their maiden WAFCON after a thrilling 2\u20130 win over Angola in Blantyre. Faith Chinzimu was the hero, scoring twice in two minutes to send the home crowd into ecstasy. Angola had earlier missed a penalty that might have changed the story, but Malawi\u2019s resilience saw them through.<\/p>\n

With Tabitha Chawinga, one of Africa\u2019s top forwards, expected to lead the line, Malawi\u2019s presence will add an exciting new chapter to the continent\u2019s women\u2019s football narrative.<\/p>\n

Nigeria (Reigning Champions \u2013 14th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

The Super Falcons, ten-time African champions, will defend their crown in Morocco after a comfortable qualification campaign. They drew 1\u20131 with Benin in Abuja to secure a 3\u20131 aggregate victory. Ashleigh Plumptre\u2019s early header gave Nigeria control before Yasmine Djibril equalised with a fine free-kick.<\/p>\n

Boasting a squad packed with global stars including Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Plumptre, Nigeria remain the team to beat. Their quest for a record-extending 10th continental title begins again next March.<\/p>\n

Senegal (4th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

Senegal\u2019s qualification came via nerve-shredding drama. After a goalless two-legged tie with C\u00f4te d\u2019Ivoire, the Lionesses of Teranga held their nerve to win 5\u20134 on penalties. It was a display of tactical patience and mental strength from a side that continues to grow in stature.<\/p>\n

With a well-organised system and several players now featuring in Europe, Senegal will look to build on their 2022 quarter-final appearance.<\/p>\n

South Africa (14th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

The Banyana Banyana, champions in 2022, left it late to beat DR Congo 1\u20130 in Pretoria and advance 2\u20131 on aggregate. Thembi Kgatlana\u2019s stoppage-time strike calmed nerves and underlined South Africa\u2019s experience in big moments.<\/p>\n

Coach Desiree Ellis has maintained the team\u2019s competitive edge, and with stars like Hildah Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana in fine form, South Africa will once again challenge strongly for the trophy they surrendered to Nigeria in 2024.<\/p>\n

Tanzania (3rd Appearance)<\/h3>\n

Tanzania\u2019s Twiga Stars produced one of their most disciplined performances in recent memory, beating Ethiopia 1\u20130 in Addis Ababa to seal a 3\u20130 aggregate win. Diana Lucas scored the decisive goal early in the first half, and the visitors\u2019 defence held firm to the end.<\/p>\n

This marks Tanzania\u2019s third WAFCON appearance, and the focus this time will be to advance past the group stage \u2014 a realistic target for a well-balanced side.<\/p>\n

Zambia (5th Appearance)<\/h3>\n

Zambia were in ruthless form as they swept aside Namibia 3\u20130 in Lusaka, completing a 7\u20132 aggregate win. Racheal Kundananji, fresh from her first-leg hat-trick, opened the scoring before Eneless Phiri and Prisca Chilufya sealed an emphatic victory.<\/p>\n

With Barbra Banda and Kundananji leading the attack, the Copper Queens are one of the most dangerous teams heading into Morocco 2026. Their pace, pressing, and power make them genuine title contenders.<\/p>\n

Final 12 Teams for WAFCON 2026<\/h3>\n

Morocco\u00a0 (Hosts) ,Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Ghana, Kenya,Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal,South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia<\/p>\n

\n

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Angu Lesley Ngwa Akonwi Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon The full cast for the 2026 Women\u2019s Africa…<\/p>","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":25178,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[39,207,36],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-african-football","category-awcon","category-womens-football"],"yoast_head":"\nWAFCON 2026: Nigeria, South Africa Lead 12-Team Line-up for Morocco Showpiece - KICK442 Sport News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kick442.com\/fr\/wafcon-2026-nigeria-south-africa-lead-12-team-line-up-for-morocco-showpiece\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"WAFCON 2026: Nigeria, South Africa Lead 12-Team Line-up for Morocco Showpiece - 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