WeeklySA_AdminCAMPAIGN: South Africa begin their WAFCON title defence with World Cup qualification, personal milestones and continental records all within reach in Morocco…
By WSAM Sports Reporter
Defending champions Banyana Banyana head to Morocco with more than just another CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in their sights.
As the expanded 16-team tournament kicks off on Sunday, South Africa will be chasing a second continental crown, a place at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, and a series of remarkable individual milestones.
CAF has announced the significant increase in the prize money by 100 per cent to $2 million and the total prize money by 67 per cent from $3,475 million to $5.8 million. The prize money of the Runner-up has been increased by 50 per cent to $750 000 and the prize money of the 3rd Position has been increased by 43 per cent.
Each of the 16 participating Women’s National Teams will receive $150 000 in participation funding, an increase of $25 000 (20 per cent) from the $125 000 received in the previous edition.
The top four teams at WAFCON 2026 will secure qualification for the World Cup, making every match critical. Banyana face Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso in Group B, with midfielder Linda Motlhalo believing the opening match will set the tone for the campaign.
“We’re going for gold regardless of what happens,” said the Scotland-based playmaker, who is poised to earn her 100th international cap in South Africa’s opening fixture. Having debuted as a teenager under former coach Vera Pauw, Motlhalo says reaching the century mark would be one of the proudest moments of her career.
Several of her teammates are also on the brink of personal milestones. Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly needs just two more appearances to reach 50 caps after recovering from the injury that cut short her previous WAFCON campaign.
Goal-scoring heroine Hildah Magaia, whose two goals sealed South Africa’s historic 2022 triumph over hosts Morocco, is three appearances away from her 50th cap, while versatile defender Bongeka Gamede requires six more matches to achieve the same feat.
Beyond Banyana’s ambitions, the tournament itself promises to rewrite the record books.
Cameroon’s legendary captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné could become the first player to feature in eight Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, eclipsing Nigeria’s Onome Ebi. Nigerian veterans Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale are chasing an unprecedented sixth continental title, further extending the Super Falcons’ dominance of African women’s football.
Other longstanding records could also tumble. Tunisia’s Mariem Houij still holds the record for the fastest goal in tournament history after scoring just 17 seconds into a match in 2022, while Nigerian legend Perpetua Nkwocha’s extraordinary tally of 11 goals in a single tournament has stood untouched since 2010.
The expansion of WAFCON from 12 to 16 teams also raises the prospect of a new tournament scoring record, surpassing the 66 goals scored at the previous edition. With more teams, more matches and more opportunities to shine, Morocco 2026 is expected to be the biggest and most competitive Women’s Africa Cup of Nations yet.
For Banyana Banyana, however, the objective remains simple: defend their African crown, secure another World Cup berth and ensure that, amid the history waiting to be made, South Africa writes one of the tournament’s finest chapters.
Oldest player
Meanwhile CAF has officially confirmed the final squads for the WAFCON 2026, with the 16 participating nations registering a total of 413 players for Africa’s premier women’s football competition.
The squad lists also highlight the remarkable diversity of experience across the tournament, with an age gap of 23 years separating the oldest and youngest players selected.
Mali midfielder Fatoumata Diarra is the oldest player at the tournament. Born on April 15 1986 and currently playing for Tausi FC in Tanzania.
Elizabeth Ochaka of Kenya is the youngest player selected for Morocco 2026. The defender, born on 9 June 2009, represents Kenya Police Bullets FC and is among several exciting young talents included in this year’s tournament.
Other rising stars born in 2008 include Deborah Guira (Burkina Faso), N’Sira Safi Ouedraogo (Côte d’Ivoire), highlighting the bright future of African women’s football. Additional reporting by CAFonline
