Several African women’s national teams recorded impressive results in international friendly matches this week as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.
With the expanded 16-team tournament fast approaching, the latest round of fixtures offered coaches an opportunity to fine-tune tactics and assess squad depth, while fans were treated to a series of emphatic performances across the continent.
Read Also: Kalu Marks Stunning Comeback with Silver at Big Ten Championships
Nigeria Bounce Back Against Cameroon
Defending champions Nigeria endured mixed fortunes in a two-legged friendly series against Cameroon.
The Super Falcons lost the first leg 1–0 in Yaoundé after Yvana Mbomozomo struck late for the Indomitable Lionesses.
However, the nine-time African champions responded strongly in the return leg on Tuesday, March 3, securing a 3–1 victory.
Goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo, Rinsola Babajide and Michelle Alozie sealed a morale-boosting comeback win as the Falcons sharpened their readiness for the continental showpiece.
Ghana Dominate Ladies Pink Cup
Ghana’s Black Queens were in ruthless form at the Ladies Pink Cup, recording back-to-back 4–0 victories.
They opened their campaign with a comprehensive win over Hong Kong, with Princess Marfo, Doris Boaduwaa, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and debutant Ajegipina Zakaria all finding the net.
The West Africans followed up with another commanding display against Russia on March 3, underlining their intent ahead of WAFCON as they continue to rebuild under a renewed technical direction.
Morocco Send Strong Message as Hosts
Tournament hosts Morocco delivered one of the standout results of the international window, thrashing Burkina Faso 5–0 in a dominant friendly.
Sanaa Mssoudy and Ibtissam Jraidi both scored braces as the Atlas Lionesses showcased their attacking firepower and growing confidence on home soil.
Other Notable Friendly Results
Elsewhere, Algeria claimed consecutive wins over Egypt, triumphing 3–0 in Cairo before edging a 3–2 victory in the return fixture.
Côte d’Ivoire defeated Benin 2–1 in Abidjan, while Benin bounced back with a 2–0 win over Kenya.
Russia also recorded a 4–1 victory over Tanzania at the Ladies Pink Cup.
CAF Set for Major Announcement
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to issue an official update on the 2026 WAFCON within the next 48 hours amid reports of a possible postponement.
Although the tournament is currently slated for March 17 to April 3 in Morocco, speculation has emerged over a potential shift in dates to allow for further logistical preparations.
CAF has confirmed that the matter is receiving urgent attention, with a formal statement anticipated soon to clarify the competition timeline and address growing concerns among participating teams and stakeholders.
As anticipation builds, the latest friendly results suggest that several contenders are hitting top form ahead of what promises to be a historic edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations—the first to feature 16 teams.
