The highly anticipated 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) is set to commence on Sunday, with Nigeria stepping onto the field as the defending champions. This year marks Morocco's third consecutive time hosting the tournament, and the Atlas Lionesses are eager to secure their first title after narrowly missing out in the previous two finals held on home soil. The stakes are particularly high this time, as the tournament also serves as a qualifying event for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, with the top four semi-finalists earning their spot in Brazil. BBC Sport Africa highlights seven standout players to keep an eye on throughout this thrilling competition.
Star Players to Watch
Esther Okoronkwo, a forward for Nigeria's Super Falcons, played a pivotal role in her team's journey to a record-extending tenth title last year, contributing an impressive two goals and six assists. Starting from the quarter-finals, Okoronkwo’s blend of creativity and precision proved invaluable. During the final, when Nigeria found themselves trailing 2-0 against the hosts, it was Okoronkwo's calm demeanor that turned the tide, as her successful penalty kick ignited a comeback. Her subsequent assists for both the equalizer and the winning goal underscored her importance to the team. Despite her stellar performance, she was notably absent from the Confederation of African Football awards last year, adding extra motivation for her to shine on this prestigious platform.
Another player to watch is Tabitha Chawinga from Malawi, who stands as her nation’s primary goal threat in this Wafcon debut. As a key forward for Lyon, she helped her club claim a fifth consecutive domestic league title and made history as the first Malawian woman to score in the UEFA Champions League. With her younger sister Temwa by her side, Chawinga expresses excitement about the tournament, encouraging her teammates not to shy away from the challenge despite facing a daunting group that includes Nigeria, Zambia, and Egypt.
Ghizlane Chebbak, the captain of the Moroccan team, is another pivotal figure in the tournament. At 35, this tournament may represent her last opportunity to lift the trophy, having previously scored against Nigeria in last year's final only to have her team finish as runners-up. Chebbak has a remarkable track record, having secured the golden boot last season, and is driven by the legacy of her father, who was part of the Moroccan men's team that won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1976. She aims to create her own piece of history by leading the Atlas Lionesses to triumph.
Kenya's Lilian Awuor, a goalkeeper, has been instrumental in her team's return to the Wafcon after a decade-long absence. Her remarkable performances during qualifying, including saving two penalties against Tunisia, have solidified her reputation. As the second lowest-ranked team in the tournament, Kenya hopes to cause an upset in Group A, which features tough opponents like Morocco, Algeria, and Senegal.
Nadine Ghazi of Egypt, who was just 14 when her country last participated in the Wafcon, brings a wealth of experience to the squad this time around. Having battled back from a serious injury, Ghazi channels inspiration from the men's national team’s recent success at the FIFA World Cup, emphasizing the responsibility her team has to inspire future generations of Egyptian female footballers.
South Africa's Refiloe Jane, an established leader for Banyana Banyana, is determined to help her team reclaim the title they won for the first time in 2022. With a wealth of experience and a record of over 150 caps, Jane recognizes the challenges posed by this year's tournament and is committed to leveraging her team's past successes to progress once again.
Finally, Varsenia da Luz will captain Cape Verde in their inaugural Wafcon appearance. A key player since the team's formation, Da Luz leads a squad of part-time players who have shown remarkable determination, evident from their qualification journey where she scored vital goals. Her leadership will be crucial as they face formidable opponents like Ghana, Cameroon, and Mali in Group D.
As reported by bbc.co.uk.
