Women's Africa Cup of Nations facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Organising body	CAF
Founded	1998; 28 years ago (1998)
Region	Africa
Number of teams	16 (finals) (from 2026)
Current champions	Nigeria (10th title)
Most successful team(s)	Nigeria (10 titles)

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is a big international football tournament for women's teams in Africa. It happens every two years and is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This exciting competition helps African teams qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup. It started in 1991 as a way to qualify for the World Cup, and by 1998, it became a regular tournament with its own championship title. Since 2016, it has been known by its current name, the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria is the most successful team in WAFCON history, having won an amazing 10 titles! They have reached at least the semi-finals in every tournament they have played. Other countries have also lifted the trophy: Equatorial Guinea won twice (in 2008 and 2012), and South Africa won their first title in 2022. Morocco, Ghana, and Cameroon have also made it to the final match. Nigeria is the current champion, having won the 2024 final.

The Story of WAFCON: A Journey Through African Women's Football

Early Days: Starting the Tournament (1990s)

In 1991, the first ever FIFA Women's World Cup was held. This inspired the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to create a way for African teams to qualify. At first, it was a simple home-and-away competition. Some countries found it hard to join in the very first tournaments in 1991 and 1995, and some teams had to withdraw.

To make the competition stronger, CAF decided in 1998 to turn it into a regular tournament. It would happen every two years, featuring eight teams in a group stage, followed by knockout matches. This new structure helped the tournament grow.

Nigeria's Strong Start: Dominating the Early Years (1991-2006)

Nigeria quickly became the team to beat. They won the very first tournament in 1991, which helped them qualify for the first Women's World Cup. They continued their winning streak, also taking the title in 1995.

In 1998, Nigeria hosted the tournament and won their third title in a row. This was the first time the competition had a full qualification round and a host nation. Nigeria kept winning, securing their fourth title in 2000 in a final match that ended early due to issues with the crowd. They then won again in 2002, 2004, and 2006, showing incredible dominance in African women's football.

New Champions Emerge (2008-2014)

The 2008 tournament was a big moment because Equatorial Guinea hosted it and became the first country other than Nigeria to win! They beat South Africa in the final. Nigeria reclaimed the trophy in 2010, but Equatorial Guinea won again in 2012.

In 2014, Nigeria won their ninth title, beating Cameroon in the final. This tournament was hosted by Namibia, who made their first appearance. It was also notable because the previous champions, Equatorial Guinea, did not qualify.

WAFCON Grows and Expands (2015-Present)

In 2015, CAF changed the tournament's name to the Africa Women Cup of Nations, similar to the men's tournament. For the 2016 edition, it was officially called the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Cameroon hosted this tournament, and Nigeria won their tenth championship, defeating the host nation in a close final.

A big step for the tournament was when TotalEnergies became a sponsor in 2016, helping to support the competition for many years.

Nigeria continued their success, winning the 2018 tournament after a penalty shootout against South Africa. This win helped them qualify for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

The 2020 tournament was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a difficult time for sports around the world.

Exciting Growth and Record-Breaking Moments

In 2021, CAF President Patrice Motsepe shared a plan to boost women's football in Africa. This plan aimed to support players and inspire young girls to pursue football careers.

The 2022 tournament was a landmark event. It was the first time 12 teams competed, up from 8. It also broke attendance records, with over 45,000 fans watching the semi-final between Morocco and Nigeria. Morocco hosted this tournament, making it the first time it was held in North Africa. South Africa won their first-ever WAFCON title, beating Morocco in the final. Both finalists, along with semi-finalists Zambia and Nigeria, qualified for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

To further support women's football, CAF announced a big increase in prize money for the 2024 WAFCON. The total prize money grew by 45%, and the winners' prize doubled to US$1,000,000. This showed CAF's strong commitment to helping women's football grow across Africa. Nigeria won the 2024 tournament, adding another title to their impressive record. The 2026 tournament is set to feature 16 teams, showing even more growth.

How WAFCON Works: Tournament Format

The first tournaments in 1991 and 1995 were mainly qualification matches for the FIFA Women's World Cup. This was when CAF and African nations were getting used to the new women's football developments.

From 1998, the tournament became a full competition. It started with an eight-team group stage. The top teams then moved to knockout rounds. The finalists of the tournament would qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup. Losing semi-finalists would get a chance to play in special play-off matches for extra World Cup spots.

In 2019, CAF decided to make the tournament even bigger. The group stage expanded to 12 teams, divided into three groups of four. For the 2026 edition, the tournament will expand again to include 16 teams.

The host nation for each tournament automatically qualifies to play. Also, the defending champions used to qualify automatically, but this rule changed.

Main Tournament Structure

From 1998 to 2018, eight qualified teams were split into two groups of four. Each team played every other team in their group once. The top two teams from each group moved on to the knockout stage. These teams also earned a spot in the FIFA Women's World Cup every other tournament.

Since the 2022 edition, 12 qualified teams are drawn into three groups of four. The top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, move to the knockout stage. This stage now includes quarter-finals. The winners of the quarter-finals qualify for the FIFA Women's World Cup. The teams that lose in the quarter-finals get another chance to qualify through special play-off matches.

The WAFCON Trophy: A Symbol of Victory

Throughout its history, three different trophies have been given to the WAFCON champions. The newest trophy was first awarded in the 2024 edition.

On July 2, 2025, CAF revealed this new trophy. It celebrates the growth of women's football in Africa. The design is inspired by the men's AFCON trophy. It features a golden football at the center of a blooming flower, with petals representing each team. This trophy shows CAF's dedication to empowering women in football and helping African women's football shine globally.

Tournament Results

Ed.	Year	Host nation		Final				Third place match			Teams
				Winner	Score	Second place
				African Women's Championship
1	1998	Nigeria		Nigeria	2–0	Ghana		DR Congo	3–3 (aet) (3–1 p)	Cameroon	7
2	2000	South Africa		Nigeria	2–0 (abd)	South Africa		Ghana	6–3	Zimbabwe	8
3	2002	Nigeria		Nigeria	2–0	Ghana		Cameroon	3–0	South Africa	8
4	2004	South Africa		Nigeria	5–0	Cameroon		Ghana	0–0 (aet) (6–5 p)	Ethiopia	8
5	2006	Nigeria		Nigeria	1–0	Ghana		South Africa	2–2 (5–4 p)	Cameroon	8
6	2008	Equatorial Guinea		Equatorial Guinea	2–1	South Africa		Nigeria	1–1 (5–4 p)	Cameroon	8
7	2010	South Africa		Nigeria	4–2	Equatorial Guinea		South Africa	2–0	Cameroon	8
8	2012	Equatorial Guinea		Equatorial Guinea	4–0	South Africa		Cameroon	1–0	Nigeria	8
9	2014	Namibia		Nigeria	2–0	Cameroon		Ivory Coast	1–0	South Africa	8
				Women's Africa Cup of Nations
10	2016	Cameroon		Nigeria	1–0	Cameroon		Ghana	1–0	South Africa	8
11	2018	Ghana		Nigeria	0–0 (aet) (4–3 p)	South Africa		Cameroon	4–2	Mali	8
-	2020			Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and its impact on CAF.
12	2022	Morocco		South Africa	2–1	Morocco		Zambia	1–0	Nigeria	12
13	2024	Morocco		Nigeria	3–2	Morocco		Ghana	1–1 (4–3 p)	South Africa	12
14	2026	Morocco		TBD				TBD			16

Note: abd – match abandoned in the 73rd minute due to safety concerns.

WAFCON Champions: A Summary of Success

Team	Winners	Runners-up	Third-place	Fourth-place
Nigeria	10 (1998*, 2000, 2002*, 2004, 2006*, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2024)	—	1 (2008)	2 (2012, 2022)
Equatorial Guinea	2 (2008*, 2012*)	1 (2010)	—	—
South Africa	1 (2022)	4 (2000*, 2008, 2012, 2018)	2 (2006, 2010*)	4 (2002, 2014, 2016, 2024)
Ghana	—	3 (1998, 2002, 2006)	4 (2000, 2004, 2016, 2024)	—
Cameroon	—	3 (2004, 2014, 2016*)	3 (2002, 2012, 2018)	4 (1998, 2006, 2008, 2010)
Morocco	—	2 (2022*, 2024*)	—	—
DR Congo	—	—	1 (1998)	—
Ivory Coast	—	—	1 (2014)	—
Zambia	—	—	1 (2022)	—
Zimbabwe	—	—	—	1 (2000)
Ethiopia	—	—	—	1 (2004)
Mali	—	—	—	1 (2018)

* hosts

** losing semi-finals

Regional Football Powerhouses

Regional Federation	Performances
	Winners	Runners-up	Third	Fourth
WAFU (West Africa)	10 times:  Nigeria (10)	3 times:  Ghana (3)	6 times:  Ghana (4)  Nigeria (1)  Ivory Coast (1)	3 times:  Nigeria (2)  Mali (1)
UNIFFAC (Central Africa)	2 times:  Equatorial Guinea (2)	4 times:  Cameroon (3)  Equatorial Guinea (1)	4 times:  Cameroon (3)  DR Congo (1)	4 times:  Cameroon (4)
COSAFA (Southern Africa)	1 time:  South Africa (1)	4 times:  South Africa (4)	3 times:  South Africa (2)  Zambia (1)	5 times:  South Africa (4)  Zimbabwe (1)
UNAF (North Africa)	—	2 times:  Morocco (2)	—	—
CECAFA (East Africa)	—	—	—	1 time:  Ethiopia (1)

WAFCON Facts and Figures

Teams That Have Played in WAFCON

Legend

Team	1991	1995	1998	2000	2002	2004	2006	2008	2010	2012	2014	2016	2018	2022	2024	2026	Years
Algeria	×	×	×	•	×	GS	GS	•	GS	×	GS	•	GS	•	QF	Q	7
Angola	×	SF	×	×	GS	×	•	×	•	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	2
Botswana	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	•	•	×	QF	GS	•	2
Burkina Faso	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	GS	•	GS	2
Burundi												×	×	GS	•	•	1
Cameroon	2nd	×	4th	GS	3rd	2nd	4th	4th	4th	3rd	2nd	2nd	3rd	QF	•	Q	14
Cape Verde														×	•	GS	1
Congo		×	×	×	×	•	•	GS	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	×	1
DR Congo	×	×	3rd	×	•	×	GS	•	•	GS	×	×	×	×	GS	•	4
Egypt	×	×	GS	•	×	×	•	×	×	•	•	GS	×	•	•	GS	3
Equatorial Guinea	×	×	×	×	•	•	GS	1st	2nd	1st	•	•	GS	•	•	•	5
Ethiopia	×	×	×	×	GS	4th	×	×	•	GS	•	•	•	•	•	•	3
Ghana	SF	SF	2nd	3rd	2nd	3rd	2nd	GS	GS	•	GS	3rd	GS	•	3rd	QF	14
Guinea	SF	×	•	×	×	•	•	•	•	•	×	•	×	•	•	•	1
Ivory Coast	×	×	×	×	•	×	•	•	•	GS	3rd	•	•	•	•	QF	3
Kenya	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	×	×	×	•	GS	•	•	•	GS	2
Malawi						•	•	×	×	•	×	×	×	•	×	Q	1
Mali	×	×	×	×	GS	GS	GS	GS	GS	•	•	GS	4th	•	QF	GS	9
Morocco	×	×	GS	GS	•	×	•	•	•	•	•	•	•	2nd	2nd	Q	5
Mozambique	×	×		×	×	×	•	×	×	•	×	×	×	•	•	×	0
Namibia	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	•	GS	•	•	•	•	•	1
Nigeria	W	W	1st	1st	1st	1st	1st	3rd	1st	4th	1st	1st	1st	4th	1st	QF	16
Réunion	×	×	×	GS	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	1
Senegal		×	×	×	•	•	•	•	•	GS	•	•	•	QF	QF	GS	4
Sierra Leone	×	QF	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	×	×	×	×	•	×	•	1
South Africa	×	2nd	GS	2nd	4th	GS	3rd	2nd	3rd	2nd	4th	4th	2nd	1st	4th	QF	15
Tanzania	×	×	×	×	•	•	•	•	GS	•	•	•	•	•	GS	GS	3
Togo	×	×	×	×	×	×	•	×	×	×	×	×	×	GS	•	•	1
Tunisia	×	×	×	×	×	×	×	GS	•	•	•	•	×	QF	GS	•	3
Uganda	×	×	•	GS	•	×	×	×	×	•	×	×	•	GS	•	•	2
Zambia		QF	×	×	•	×	•	•	×	•	GS	•	GS	3rd	QF	GS	6
Zimbabwe		×	×	4th	GS	GS	×	•	×	•	•	GS	•	•	×	•	4
Total (31 teams)	4	6	7	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	8	12	12	16

New Teams Joining WAFCON

Year	Debuting teams
	Teams	No.	Cum.
1998	Cameroon,  DR Congo,  Egypt,  Ghana,  Morocco,  Nigeria,  South Africa	7	7
2000	Réunion,  Uganda,  Zimbabwe	3	10
2002	Ethiopia,  Mali	2	12
2004	Algeria	1	13
2006	Equatorial Guinea	1	14
2008	Congo,  Tunisia	2	16
2010	Tanzania	1	17
2012	Ivory Coast,  Senegal	2	19
2014	Namibia,  Zambia	2	21
2016	Kenya	1	22
2018	None	0	22
2022	Botswana,  Burkina Faso,  Burundi,  Togo	4	26
2024	None	0	26
2026	Cape Verde,  Malawi	2	28

Countries That Have Hosted WAFCON the Most

Hosts	Nation	Year(s)
Thrice	Nigeria	1998, 2002, 2006
	South Africa	2000, 2004, 2010
	Morocco	2022, 2024, 2026
Twice	Equatorial Guinea	2008, 2012
Once	Namibia	2014
	Cameroon	2016
	Ghana	2018

See also

• FIFA Women's World Cup
• CAF Women's Champions League