African football is loud. It’s chaotic, beautiful, and deeply personal. But for decades, the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) was treated like a bit of an afterthought by the suits in Cairo. That’s changed. If you watched the 2022 edition in Morocco, you saw the shift. You saw 45,000+ people screaming in Rabat. You saw quality that didn’t just rival the men’s game but, in terms of pure tactical discipline and drama, sometimes surpassed it.
The tournament is no longer just a "developmental" stage. It’s a war. It’s where Nigeria’s dominance is being poked and prodded by hungry upstarts like South Africa and Zambia. It’s where the world finally realizes that the talent in Lagos, Casablanca, and Johannesburg is world-class.
The Nigerian Monopoly has been Smashed
For years, the WAFCON was essentially the "Nigeria Invitational." Between 1991 and 2018, the Super Falcons won 11 out of 13 titles. It was predictable. You’d show up, Nigeria would outmuscle everyone with sheer athleticism and the clinical finishing of legends like Perpetua Nkwocha or Asisat Oshoala, and they’d go home with the trophy.
But things are different now.
In 2022, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana didn’t just win; they looked like the best team from the first whistle. Desiree Ellis, a coach who literally lived through the era of having no resources, built a squad that plays some of the most attractive possession-based football on the continent. When they beat Morocco in that final, it felt like a tectonic plate had shifted. Nigeria finished fourth. Read that again. Fourth. That was unthinkable five years ago.
The gap hasn't just closed; it's been bridged by heavy investment. Morocco spent millions on their King Mohammed VI Football Complex and domestic leagues. It showed. They didn't just host a tournament; they created a blueprint for how North African nations can dominate a sport previously ruled by West African powerhouses.
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Why 2026 is the Real Litmus Test
We are looking at the 2026 edition (scheduled for July 2026) as the moment of truth. Morocco is hosting again. This is rare, but CAF knows where the money and the infrastructure are. After the 2024 edition was pushed back—a move that honestly frustrated a lot of fans and players because it felt like the women’s game was being deprioritized for the men’s schedule—the pressure is on to deliver something flawless.
The stakes?
Direct qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In the past, African teams went to the World Cup just to "participate." Now, after what Morocco and Nigeria did in 2023—reaching the knockout stages—the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations serves as a brutal qualifying gauntlet. If you can survive a rainy match against a physical Cameroonian side or outthink a tactical Tunisian defense, the World Cup is easy by comparison.
The Professionalism Gap is Closing (Slowly)
Let’s be real for a second. The talent has always been there. What hasn't been there is the money. For a long time, WAFCON players were essentially amateurs playing against the few Nigerian or South African stars who had managed to escape to European leagues.
Now, we’re seeing the rise of professional domestic leagues. Look at Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in South Africa. They are winning CAF Women’s Champions League titles and providing a backbone for the national team. Morocco’s AS FAR does the same. When players are training every day in professional environments, the quality of the national team tournament skyrockets.
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It’s not perfect. Some federations still treat their women's teams with a "wait and see" attitude. They wait for the team to win before they provide funding. It's backwards. But the commercial interest is finally catching up. Sponsors are seeing the engagement numbers. People aren't just tuning in out of a sense of duty; they're tuning in because the football is actually good.
Tactical Evolution: It's Not Just About Speed Anymore
There was a time when African women's football was criticized for being "kick and rush." Not anymore.
- South Africa: They play like a mini-Barcelona, prioritizing short passes and movement.
- Zambia: They utilize the terrifying pace of Barbra Banda, but with a more sophisticated counter-attacking structure than before.
- Morocco: High technical proficiency and set-piece mastery.
This tactical diversity makes the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations a fascinating watch for scouts. You see scouts from the NWSL and the WSL lining the stands now. They aren't just looking for one outlier; they're looking at entire backlines.
The Elephant in the Room: Scheduling and Logistics
We have to talk about the 2024 to 2026 delay. CAF (the Confederation of African Football) has a habit of moving dates around like they're playing Tetris. The 2024 tournament was postponed to 2026. This is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it gives teams more time to prepare and allows Morocco to ensure the stadiums are perfect. On the other, it kills momentum.
Players have short careers. A two-year delay can be the difference between a legend playing one last tournament or retiring in the shadows. It also makes it harder for sponsors to plan. If you want the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations to be world-class, it needs a fixed, sacred spot on the calendar that doesn't move just because the Men's AFCON or the Club World Cup needs space.
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Despite this, the excitement for the upcoming edition is higher than ever. There’s a sense of "unfinished business" for teams like Ghana and Ivory Coast, who have drifted in and out of relevance.
How to Follow the Growth of the Game
If you're actually looking to get into this, don't just wait for the tournament to start. The qualifiers are where the real grit is. You see teams playing on bumpy pitches in intense heat, fighting for a spot that could change their lives.
To really understand the landscape:
- Watch the CAF Women's Champions League: This is the feeder system. It’s where you’ll see the next stars before they hit the WAFCON stage.
- Follow the "Legionnaires": Keep an eye on African players in the NWSL and Europe. When they return for the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, they bring back a level of tactical maturity that elevates the whole squad.
- Ignore the "Comparison" Trap: Stop comparing it to the men's game. It's a different rhythm. It's more open. There’s often more scoring. It’s its own beast.
The WAFCON is the heartbeat of women's sports in Africa. It’s a political statement, a cultural festival, and a top-tier sporting event all rolled into one. As we approach the next kickoff in Morocco, the question isn't whether Nigeria will win again—it's whether the rest of the continent is ready to take the crown for good.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Analysts
To stay ahead of the curve on African women's football, focus on these specific areas:
- Monitor the FIFA Rankings carefully: They don't always tell the whole story in Africa because of the lack of consistent friendly matches, but they indicate which federations are active.
- Track domestic league professionalization: Specifically in nations like Tanzania and Senegal, which are currently "dark horses" in the regional zones.
- Support the media outlets covering this: Sites like Soka25East or Her Football Hub often provide more granular detail than major international networks.
- Advocate for better scheduling: Use social media to hold CAF accountable for tournament dates; fan pressure has historically influenced administrative decisions in African football.
The growth is undeniable, but it requires consistent eyeballs and pressure to ensure the momentum from the record-breaking 2022 tournament isn't lost to administrative shuffling.