Cameroon’s triumph at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) 2026 was a momentous occasion, marking the fourth nation to lift the trophy, following Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, and South Africa. The tournament, initially postponed just 12 days before the scheduled kick-off in March, proved a complex undertaking, grappling with logistical hurdles and a significant shift in the tournament’s format.
The decision to expand Wafcon to 16 teams, a move justified by the Caf’s desire to provide more competitive competition, was a pivotal factor. The tournament’s success, however, was tempered by a considerable amount of post-tournament delays, a testament to the challenges of logistical planning and international travel.
BBC Sport Africa provides a detailed analysis of the competition’s trajectory, focusing on three weeks of matches in Rabat and Casablanca. The 2024 edition, while largely a success, presented a more competitive landscape, with several shocking results and a significant increase in high-level matches.
The Indomitable Lionesses, eliminated by Algeria in the qualifiers, were the primary beneficiaries of this expansion, demonstrating a clear progression from 153rd to 32nd in the world rankings before securing the title.
Ivory Coast, like Cameroon, missed the last Wafcon, achieving their goals thanks to their ranking, topping their group before facing a challenging quarter-final against Algeria.
All four semi-finalists, including Tanzania, who bridged a 65-place gap in the world rankings to upset South Africa in the group stage, reached the final, highlighting the tournament’s impact on the development of women’s football across Africa.
More high-level matches were required to aid the development of women’s football on the continent and, on first viewing, the 16-team Wafcon format looks like it will help.
A significant change in the tournament’s structure was the introduction of a new format, aiming to create a more level playing field and fostering greater competition. The 2024 edition saw a greater emphasis on high-quality matches, with numerous upsets and a notable increase in the number of games.
Tanzania’s dramatic victory over South Africa in the group stage, and the 2022 champions’ 99th-minute equalizer against Ivory Coast, underscored the competitive spirit of the competition.
The tournament featured a diverse range of performances, with notable individual achievements, including Ivory Coast’s Temwa Chawinga’s golden boot, which secured her five goals and two assists, and Zambia’s Barbra Banda’s crucial goal.
The tournament’s success was further bolstered by the introduction of a new video assistant referee check during Cameroon’s group win, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing the officiating process.
This year’s competition has also highlighted the importance of investment in the sport, with Morocco’s significant financial investment in the women’s game, coupled with the investment by Algeria, Ghana, and Malawi, contributing to the overall growth of the sport, with Cameroon benefiting from $2m in prize money and the West Africans relying on talent developed and based abroad for a number of years.
The tournament’s future remains uncertain, with the 2028 tournament slated to be staged in Morocco, a decision that will be crucial to ensuring the continued success of the competition. The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup’s results, and the ongoing challenges with visa regulations, are also significant considerations for the future of the competition.
Further analysis will focus on the development of women’s football on the continent, exploring the impact of the 16-team format and its potential to drive further progress, as well as the ongoing debate surrounding the future of the tournament.
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Source: Adom Sports
