Cape Verde and Malawi are set to make their first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after securing their place at next year’s tournament alongside reigning champions Nigeria.
In the lead up to their second round tie against Angola, Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga said the expansion of Wafcon from 12 to 16 teams would offer “great exposure” to those nations yet to make their debut at the continental showpiece.
A 2-0 aggregate victory saw the Scorchers guarantee a spot at the finals in Morocco, with midfielder Faith Chinzimu the hero as her two late goals secured victory in Lilongwe following a goalless first leg.
Cape Verde triumphed 4-2 away in Bamako to overturn a first-leg deficit and win out 4-3 on aggregate against Mali.
The achievement of Cape Verde’s women will give football fans on the island nation another reason to celebrate after the men’s team qualified for the World Cup earlier this month.
Meanwhile, holders Nigeria will get the chance to defend the trophy they won in July after they saw off Benin 3-1 overall, with Ashleigh Plumptre on target as the second game between the sides ended 1-1 in Abeokuta.
Among the other teams to secure their spot at the tournament, Kenya’s 4-1 aggregate victory over The Gambia will see the Harambee Starlets make just their second appearance at the finals, following on from a group stage exit in 2016.
Likewise, Burkina Faso will make their second appearance after they beat Togo 3-0 over both legs.
Algeria, Ghana, Senegal, Tanzania and Zambia will join them – as will 2022 winners South Africa, who needed a 91st-minute goal to ward off the possibility of a shock against DR Congo as Banyana Banyana eventually won the tie 2-1 courtesy of Thembi Kgatlana’s injury-time strike in Johannesburg.
With hosts Morocco already assured of their place, 12 nations have now been chosen for the finals, meaning four spots are still up for grabs.
The 11 losing sides from the second round could therefore still have a chance of qualifying, following the decision made by the Confederation of African Football (Caf) at the start of October to expand the tournament.
Caf has also not confirmed the dates of the tournament, but world governing body Fifa has previously earmarked the 2026 Wafcon to take place between 17 March and 3 April.
