If the opening round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has taught us anything, it’s that football doesn’t care about history. It doesn’t care how many trophies sit in your cabinet or how intimidating your nickname sounds. It only cares about what happens over 90 minutes.
The Super Falcons Can No Longer Rely on Reputation
Nigeria remains Africa’s most successful women’s national team, but reputation doesn’t score goals.
Against Malawi, the Super Falcons looked like a team expecting things to fall into place eventually. Instead, they were punished by a side that worked harder, defended better, and took its chances.
If Nigeria is to defend its title, performances—not history—will have to do the talking.
Big Names No Longer Guarantee Victories
There was a time when seeing Nigeria or South Africa on the fixture list almost guaranteed three points. Those days are fading fast.
Women’s football in Africa is evolving. More players are competing professionally in Europe, coaching standards have improved, and so-called smaller nations are no longer showing up simply to make up the numbers.
Malawi’s victory over Nigeria and Tanzania’s win over South Africa are proof that the gap between the continent’s traditional powerhouses and the chasing pack is shrinking.
Goals, Goals and More Goals
Image Credit: Getty Images
If there’s one thing WAFCON hasn’t been short of, it’s goals.
After just six matches, we’ve already seen 25 goals—a welcome sight for neutral fans. It’s also a sign of how the women’s game in Africa is evolving. Teams are becoming more adventurous, technically assured, and increasingly willing to take risks in attack.
Coaches may not be thrilled with some of the defending on display, but for everyone else, it’s been thoroughly entertaining. Long may it continue.
The Football Has Entertained. The Stands Haven’t.
For all the quality and drama we’ve seen on the pitch, one thing has been impossible to ignore: the empty seats.
Several matches have been played in front of sparse crowds, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a pre-season friendly than Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament.
It’s a shame because the players deserve better.
The goals have been there. The upsets have certainly been there. Yet the noise inside the stadiums hasn’t matched the spectacle unfolding on the pitch.
The Favourites Are Already Under Pressure
The margin for error at this WAFCON is razor-thin, and the tournament favourites have discovered that earlier than expected.
Nigeria’s shock defeat to Malawi and South Africa’s loss to Tanzania have thrown their groups wide open.
Both teams now head into their next matches knowing that another slip-up could leave their qualification hopes hanging by a thread.
It’s another reminder that past success counts for very little once the whistle blows. Every point has to be earned, every performance has to be delivered, and at this WAFCON, every game already feels like a final.
