Morocco 2026 in Sight: Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Mali Dominate First Legs

Morocco 2026 in Sight: Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Mali Dominate First Legs

By Niyi Busari 

Cup holders and 10-time champions Nigeria headline a strong list of African women’s football powerhouses who have taken commanding first-leg advantages in the race to qualify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Super Falcons, alongside Zambia, Ghana, and Mali, are in strong positions to advance to the continental showpiece after impressive away performances in the final qualifying round.

Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia Impress in Away Fixtures

Nigeria underlined their dominance on the continent with a 2–0 victory over the Amazons of Benin Republic in Lomé on Friday. Goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo gave the Falcons a solid advantage ahead of Tuesday’s return leg at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Dominique Rosa Hanjavola of Madagascar as referee for the encounter, assisted by Claris Simango (Zimbabwe) and Hasimbola Rasoloniaina (Madagascar). Grace Gimo of Zimbabwe will serve as the fourth official, with Christine Ziga of Ghana as the match commissioner and Ndeye Fatou Seye of Senegal as referee assessor.

Elsewhere, Zambia’s Copper Queens, who suffered a heavy defeat to Nigeria at this year’s WAFCON in Morocco, responded in style by beating Namibia 4–2 in Windhoek, giving themselves a comfortable cushion before Tuesday’s return leg in Ndola.

Ghana’s Black Queens were equally dominant, claiming a 3–0 win over Egypt in Cairo to all but seal their qualification ahead of the second leg in Accra. Mali also earned a narrow but vital 1–0 away victory over Cape Verde in Praia.

Mixed Fortunes Across the Continent

There was little to separate Angola and Malawi in their goalless draw in Luanda, as well as Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, who also ended 0–0 in Dakar.

Kenya’s Harambee Starlets secured a convincing 3–1 home win over The Gambia, while Algeria edged Cameroon 2–1 in Algiers. Burkina Faso and Tanzania both took control of their respective ties with 2–0 wins over Togo and Ethiopia, giving them solid leads going into the second legs.

Defending champions South Africa’s Banyana Banyana were held to a 1–1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa, leaving them with work to do when they host the return fixture.

Morocco Await as Hosts

Hosts Morocco have already secured automatic qualification and will be seeking redemption after finishing runners-up in the last two editions—losing to South Africa in 2022 and Nigeria earlier this year.

The return-leg fixtures will take place between Sunday and Tuesday, with the final list of qualifiers set to be confirmed afterward.

2026 WAFCON Final Qualifying – First Leg Results

Fixture Result

Benin Republic vs Nigeria 0–2

Angola vs Malawi 0–0

DR Congo vs South Africa 1–1

Tanzania vs Ethiopia 2–0

Namibia vs Zambia 2–4

Burkina Faso vs Togo 2–0

Algeria vs Cameroon 2–1

Egypt vs Ghana 0–3

Kenya vs Gambia 3–1

Cape Verde vs Mali 0–1

Senegal vs Côte d’Ivoire 0–0