Morocco 2026:African countries maximise first FIFA Window to step up preparations ahead of WAFCON finals

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

With less than three weeks to the commencement of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tagged Morocco 2026, some qualified countries have stepped up preparations for the biennial Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament.

As preparations for the football fiesta are entering a decisive phase, most of the 16 qualified nations, including Nigeria are now using the first FIFA international window of the year to sharpen tactics, assess squads and build cohesion ahead of the finals slated for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.

One of the series of high-profile friendly fixtures that has been arranged to provide competitive rehearsal before the tournament kicks off is the double-header international friendlies between host Cameroon and Nigeria.

Already, Nigeria’s Super Falcons arrived Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon on Wednesday had their first training session at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé on Thursday evening ahead of the first of the double-header showdown at Ngoa-Ekelle Military Stadium, Yaoundé,
Cameroon’s Army field today with the second encounter slated for next week Tuesday.

This is even as no fewer than six other African countries are today involved in international friendly matches with Ghana’s Black Queens and Hong Kong’s senior women’s team clashing in the Pink Ladies Cup in the United Arab Emirates holding from February 28 and March 6, 2026.

The annual invitational tournament also features Tanzania, Russia, and Hong Kong, providing diverse opposition and a competitive environment for tactical refinement just as Tanzania will take on Russia later today.

Interestingly, for the two African sides, the highlight will be their meeting on the final day — a fixture likely to offer insight into readiness levels before the continental showpiece.

By staging their preparations in a neutral international setting, both Tanzania and Ghana hope to expose their squads to varied playing styles and conditions while strengthening team chemistry.

Elsewhere, Cote d’Ivoire will host Benin Republic senior women’s team at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan, while Egypt welcomes Algeria at City of October 6 Stadium in Cairo

Yesterday, this year’s WAFCON host, Morocco walloped Burkina Faso 5-0 in a friendly encounter to send a warning message to contenders like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Zambia.

International Friendly schedule (GMT)
Friday, 27 February
Morocco 5 v 0 Burkina Faso, Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat

Saturday, 28 February

15:00 – Cameroon v Nigeria, Ngoa-Ekelle Military Stadium, Yaoundé
17:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Benin, Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan
20:45 – Algeria v Egypt, City of October 6 Stadium, Cairo

Monday, 2 March
17:00 – Benin v Kenya, Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

Tuesday, 3 March
15:00 – Cameroon v Nigeria, Ngoa-Ekelle Military Stadium, Yaoundé
21:45 – Algeria v Egypt, City of October 6 Stadium, Cairo
22:00 – Morocco v Burkina Faso, Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat

Wednesday, 4 March
19:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Kenya, Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, Ebimpé