In a shocking turn of events, former champions Equatorial Guinea and Tunisia have been eliminated in the first round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers. The dramatic outcomes have reshaped the road to Morocco, where the tournament will be held.
Equatorial Guinea Falls Short Against Tanzania
Equatorial Guinea, winners of WAFCON in 2008 and 2012, faced a major upset at the hands of Tanzania. After trailing 3-1 from the first leg, the Equatoguineans could only manage a 1-1 draw at home, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate defeat. Ranked 63 places higher than their opponents, Equatorial Guinea’s failure to qualify for the tournament continues their struggles, having last appeared in WAFCON in 2018 when they finished at the bottom of their group.
Kenya Stuns Tunisia With Goalkeeping Heroics
Kenya’s Harambee Starlets pulled off one of the biggest shocks of the qualifiers by eliminating Tunisia. Ranked 71 places below their North African rivals, Kenya secured a 1-0 victory thanks to an early goal from Tereza Engesha. Goalkeeper Lilian Awuor was the hero, saving two penalties to ensure Kenya advanced. Their reward is a second-round clash against The Gambia, who triumphed 4-1 on aggregate over Niger.
Other Major Results: Botswana, Uganda, and Burundi Exit
- Botswana Eliminated: Despite competing in the upcoming 2024 WAFCON in Morocco, Botswana will not feature in the 2026 edition after losing 2-0 on aggregate to DR Congo.
- Ethiopia’s Stunning Comeback: Ethiopia overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Uganda, winning the return leg 2-0 before sealing the tie with a 5-4 victory on penalties.
- Burkina Faso Dominates: Burkina Faso eased past Burundi with a 5-1 aggregate win, setting up a second-round clash against Togo.
Biggest Wins and Convincing Performances
- Togo’s Dominance: Togo registered a staggering 10-0 aggregate victory over Djibouti.
- Mali’s Rampage: Mali demolished Gabon 10-1 over two legs.
- Algeria’s Commanding Performance: Algeria breezed past South Sudan 8-0 on aggregate, securing a matchup against Cameroon in the next round.
Other Key Matchups in the Second Round
The second round of qualifiers in October will determine which 11 teams join hosts Morocco in the 2026 WAFCON. Among the exciting fixtures:
- Nigeria vs Benin: Eleven-time WAFCON champions Nigeria face Benin, who eliminated Sierra Leone with a 5-2 aggregate score.
- Egypt vs Ghana: Egypt, aiming for their first WAFCON finals since 2016, overcame Rwanda 3-2 on aggregate and will now face Ghana.
- Senegal vs Ivory Coast: Senegal advanced without playing after Chad withdrew and will now face regional rivals Ivory Coast.
- Malawi vs Angola: Malawi progressed via walkover after Congo-Brazzaville’s suspension and will take on Angola, who edged Zimbabwe 5-4 on penalties.
What’s Next for the 2026 WAFCON?
Reigning champions South Africa, Zambia, and Nigeria, alongside the six highest-ranked teams, were granted a bye to the second round. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has yet to announce the official dates for the 2026 WAFCON finals.
Stay updated with the latest in African women’s football on Issue N Fact as the journey to WAFCON 2026 unfolds.
