Member of FIFA’s Media and Communication Committee and former chairperson of the Nigeria Women Football League, Aisha Falode, has expressed disappointment over the decision by the Confederation of African Football to postpone the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for 2026.
CAF recently confirmed that the tournament, initially planned to take place in Morocco between March 17 and April 3, 2026, will now be held from July 25 to August 16, 2026, following consultations with partners including FIFA and other stakeholders.
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Reacting to the development, Falode said the postponement comes as a major setback after months of preparation by teams, organisers and players.
“It is disappointing considering the amount of work that had already gone into preparations for the tournament,” Falode said.
According to her, the change in dates will not only affect the teams but will also create logistical and financial challenges for several stakeholders involved in organising the competition.
“The postponement comes at a costly price, not just for the teams but also for the players and the organisers,” she added.
Falode explained that national teams had structured their training camps and preparation schedules around the original dates, meaning the sudden shift could disrupt carefully planned programmes.
She also noted that players who had prepared physically and mentally for the competition will now have to adjust to the new timeline.
“Many teams had already started putting their plans in place based on the earlier schedule,” she explained.
Despite her disappointment, Falode expressed hope that the new dates would ultimately allow the tournament to be delivered successfully.
“We just hope that the extra time will help ensure the competition is properly organised and lives up to expectations,” she said.
The WAFCON remains Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament and also serves as a key platform for teams such as the Nigeria women’s national football team to showcase their dominance on the continent.
