The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will crown a first-time champion after Nigeria and South Africa, two of the continent’s most successful women’s teams, were both knocked out at the quarter-final stage.
Nigeria’s reign came to an abrupt end on Sunday as Cameroon edged the nine-time champions 1-0. The decisive moment came in the 19th minute when Myriam Wam found the net from a free-kick, giving Cameroon a result that sent them through to the final four.
The victory was only Cameroon’s second success against Nigeria in the history of the women’s continental championship.
South Africa suffered a similar fate the previous day. Playing in Rabat, the defending champions were beaten 2-1 by hosts Morocco, who advanced to the semi-finals while also confirming their place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The tournament has now lost both of its most recent winners. Banyana Banyana took the crown in 2022, while Nigeria returned to the top in the 2024 edition, which was held in 2025.
Equatorial Guinea, the other nation to have lifted the trophy, are also missing from this year’s competition after failing to qualify. As a result, the semi-final line-up will contain no former WAFCON winner.
Nigeria’s exit is particularly significant given their remarkable record in the competition. The Falcons have collected 10 titles, more than any other country, and dominated the early years by winning the first five championships between 1998 and 2006.
Equatorial Guinea brought that run to an end in 2008, but Nigeria bounced back two years later to reclaim the trophy. The Central African side then won again in 2012.
Nigeria subsequently restored their dominance with three straight triumphs in 2014, 2016 and 2018. Their next title came in the 2024 tournament, played in 2025, when they came from behind to defeat Morocco in the final and secure their 10th continental championship.
With the Falcons and Banyana Banyana eliminated, Morocco now have a strong opportunity to make history on home soil by pursuing their first WAFCON title. Algeria, Cameroon and either Ghana or Malawi are also still chasing the trophy.
The teams that reach the semi-finals will all earn automatic qualification for the 2027 World Cup. For the four nations that lost in the quarter-finals, another route remains open through a play-off competition that will decide Africa’s two slots in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Nigeria and South Africa will meet once more on Thursday in Casablanca, this time with a World Cup opportunity on the line as both sides fight to remain in contention for Brazil 2027.
