WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot and record prize money

WAFCON favourites Nigeria eye World Cup slot and record prize money as the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations begins in Morocco on Sunday. The tournament offers qualification for the World Cup and a record $2 million first prize, with 16 nations competing, up from 12 in the previous edition. Nigeria, ten-time champions and defending titleholders, are highlighted as the team to beat, coming off a final win over Morocco where they overturned a two-goal halftime deficit to win 3-2, with Jennifer Echegini scoring the late winner. Coach Justine Madugu said Nigeria’s priorities are reaching the semi-finals and securing one of four World Cup places reserved for Africa, with a 25-player squad including PSG’s Echegini and goalkeeper Fatima Oloko. In Group C, Nigeria face Zambia, Egypt and debutants Malawi, while Group B’s top seed South Africa plays Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, and hosts Morocco tackle Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.