EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria, S/Africa, Morocco, 2026 WAFCON-bound Teams Fine-tune Strategies Against Tough Opponents 

EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria, S/Africa, Morocco, 2026 WAFCON-bound Teams Fine-tune Strategies Against Tough Opponents

By Harry Awurumibe

During this June’s official FIFA international window, several African women’s national football teams played series of international friendly matches to build squad chemistry, test tactics, and prepare for the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) billed for Morocco from July 25 to August 11, 2026.

Prompt News reports that no fewer than 14  out of 16 countries that qualified to participate in the major continental women’s football tournament next month played two international friendly matches to assess the readiness of their teams ahead of the continental showpiece which will also serve as the qualifying competition for the 2027  FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

Among the countries in action during the FIFA international window from June 1 to 9, 2025 are reigning African champions Nigeria, which played a double-header showdown with visiting Senegal.

Ranked as the top team in Africa, Nigeria, which regularly schedules friendlies against strong African and European sides home and abroad this time, took on  Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses in Ikenne-Remo where they defeated their guests 2-1 and 3-0 respectively over two legs.

Also, continental heavyweights South Africa, which frequently arranges highly competitive friendlies against top nations, travelled to meet Japan at home. Although the Banyana Banyana lost their first friendly 5 nil to Japan, they recovered just in time to beat the Nadeshiko 1-0 in Osaka early today.

Morocco, Africa’s rising stars and regular hosts of big tournaments, as well as frequently  friendly matches against other countries, played two games, beating Benin Republic 4-2 in Morocco before travelling to meet New Zealand today. Half-time result in Christ Church was 0-0 as at press time.

Other WAFCON-bound nations in action during the FIFA international window are Nigeria’s three Group C opponents, Egypt,  Malawi, and Zambia with  the Copper Queens defeating Kenya 4 -1 via penalties after the match ended 1-1 after the regulation time. Their second match was cancelled.

However, Kenya today hammered Lesotho 6-0 in a Four Nations Tournament as Mehalalitoe lose third-place play-off to Kenya. Full-time: Lesotho 0-6 Kenya.

The result of their second match against Zimbabwe today was unavailable, as at the time of filing this report.

Not to be outsmarted by their opponents, Egypt last week defeated North African neighbours Tunisia 4-2 on penalties after full-time result stood at 1-1 while their second match on Monday ended 2-2 apiece.

Another Nigeria’s group opponent, Malawi, was in action last Saturday when they lost to Tanzania 1-0 away from home to also try out some of the strategies the team will adopt when the biggest women’s football tournament in Africa kicks off in Morocco next month.

Also, West African neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali, who qualified for WAFCON 2026, played out 0-0 and 2-2 in the first and second legs of their double-header international friendlies in Ouagadogu while Cotè d’Ivoire walloped Cape Verde 3-0 in the first of their double-header in Abidjan as the second match ended in a barren draw.

In fact, except Nigeria’s Eastern neighbours, Cameroon and West African sisters Ghana, that were not involved in any international friendly matches during the FIFA international window, all the remaining WAFCON-bound teams tested their readiness for the tournament.

With no other FIFA-approved windows before WAFCON 2026 kicks off next, teams will only local clubs or Grade B international friendlies that will not be recognised by the world football governing body or reflected in the monthly FIFA World Rankings.

*International “A” Friendlies By WAFCON 2026 Teams June 3 to 9:*

Nigeria 2 v 1 Senegal

Nigeria 3 v 0 Senegal

Japan 5 v 0 S/Africa

Japan 0 v 1 S/Africa

Tanzania 1 v 0 Malawi

Tanzania 0 v 0 Malawi

Morocco 4 v 2 Benin

New Zealand 0  v 0 Morocco

Zambia 1 (4 ) v 1( 1 ) Kenya

Lesotho 0 v 6 Kenya

Burkina Faso 0 v 0 Mali

Burkin Faso 2 v 2 Mali

Egypt 1(P.4) v1 (2) Tunisia

Egypt 2 v 2 Tunisia

Ivory Coast 3 v 0 Cape Verde

Ivory Coast 0 v 0 Cape  Verde

Lesotho 0 v 6 Kenya

Morocco u2 3 v 2 Benin Women.

………………………………….

WAFCON 2026 Group

……………………………….

Morocco (Host)

Algeria

Senegal

Kenya

South Africa

Côte d’Ivoire

Burkina Faso

Tanzania

Nigeria (Defending Champ)

Zambia

Egypt

Malawi

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Ghana

Mali

Awurumibe, Africa’s No.1 Women’s Football Journalist lives in Abuja