Holders Nigeria learned their Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026 group-stage opponents on Thursday, with the Super Falcons set to renew acquaintances with Zambia in the opening round in Morocco in March.
Nigeria, the 10-time African champions, were the only top team who did not play a single friendly match of the last window of 2025, which held between November 24 and December 2.
South Africa striker Thembi Kgatlana's stoppage time goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday night secured a 1-0 win and saw Banyana Banyana qualify for next year's Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Just a few months after claiming a record 10th African title, Nigeria's Super Falcons have qualified for the next edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, after a 3-1 aggregate win over Benin Republic.
Despite being the current holder of the CAF Women's Player of the Year title, Orlando Pride and Zambia forward Barbra Banda says she is honoured to have been nominated again for the award.
Nigeria midfielder Esther Okoronkwo was overlooked for the women's Ballon d'Or, but she was the real MVP of the Super Falcons' Africa Cup of Nations triumph and the only way is up.
Nigeria WNT goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and head coach Justin Madugu say their historic Ballon d'Or nominations go beyond personal recognition.
California-born Nigeria and Houston Dash defender Michelle Alozie says the presence of the many dual-national players in the Super Falcons squad in their Women's Africa Cup of Nations victory was crucial.
With the confetti settled on the Super Falcons' WAFCON glory, it's fair to ask whether women's football in Africa is truly getting the support, the recognition and the treatment that the talent surely merits.
Even with her club career at a crossroads following her exit from Atlético Madrid, Rasheedat Ajibade reminded the world of the value she can bring to any team in July, leading Nigeria to the WAFCON crown.
ESPN names it's Women's Africa Cup of Nations 'Dream Team' after Nigeria's come-from-behind 3-2 victory vs. Morocco in Casablanca, with the Super Falcons obviously making up the bulk.
President Tinubu rewarded each of the 24 players on the squad with a national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger, a three-bedroom apartment, and the naira equivalent of $US100,000.
Despite Nigeria's WAFCON victory, there must still be doubts about whether Justin Madugu is the right man to get the best out of this talented squad, with another WAFCON and World Cup to come over the next two years.
Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda made no secret of his unhappiness with the referees' decision-making during Saturday's Women's AFCON final, with two notable penalty decision going against the tournament hosts.
Nigeria came from 2-0 down to defeat Morocco 3-2 in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final to win their record-extending 10th title.
Morocco and Nigeria face off in the African Women's Cup of Nations final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
Ghana defeated reigning champions South Africa 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw to clinch third place at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
It's rare indeed to encounter a Liverpudlian accent across the highways and byways of African football, but Ghana midfielder Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah has certainly brought her Scouse flair to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa face a sense that the page is turning on the finest chapter in the nation's women's footballing history.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa issued a statement of support to Banyana Banyana forward Gabriela Salgado following the horror injury she sustained in Tuesday's Women's AFCON semifinal against Nigeria on Tuesday.
This Super Falcons side are on the brink of Women's Africa Cup of Nations history... although you wouldn't know it speaking to the Nigeria players, who are staunchly refuting all talk of last-minute nerves ahead of the final against Morocco.
Nigeria's Michelle Alozie -- on the books of Houston Dash -- believes the quality of the talent at WAFCON could lead to more NWSL teams prioritising Africans in recruitment plans.
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algeria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenya | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Morocco | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Senegal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Burkina Faso | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ivory Coast | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| South Africa | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tanzania | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Egypt | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Malawi | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nigeria | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zambia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Cape Verde | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cameroon | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ghana | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mali | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
