South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, has dismissed reports suggesting that the country has been confirmed as the new host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

According to a statement issued on Monday, the minister stated that “no formal decision” has been taken to replace Morocco.

McKenzie reaffirmed that Morocco remains the official host of the tournament, which is scheduled to kick off on March 17.

The minister was responding to comments credited to the Deputy Minister of Sport, Peace Mabel, who had claimed that South Africa had taken over hosting rights after Morocco allegedly withdrew from the competition with just five weeks to the start date.

Mabel had said Morocco pulled out of hosting the WAFCON and that South Africa was ready to step in.

However, McKenzie clarified that South Africa has merely expressed readiness to assist the Confederation of African Football if the need arises.

According to him, South Africa “has only indicated its willingness to support CAF if alternative hosting arrangements become necessary.”

He explained that such measures “are part of CAF’s routine contingency planning” ahead of major tournaments.

“At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the official designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has not activated any alternative hosting process,” the statement said.

McKenzie added that for South Africa to host the tournament, several requirements must be met, including CAF’s formal approval, clearance from the cabinet, and the availability and readiness of venues and supporting infrastructure.

It was reports that Morocco is poised to host the WAFCON for the third consecutive time, with the tournament set to run from March 17 to April 3.

The North African country finished as runners-up in the last two editions, losing to South Africa in the 2022 final and to Nigeria’s Super Falcons in 2024.

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South Africa have moved to step in as hosts of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following Morocco’s reported withdrawal from staging the tournament with just 60 days to the scheduled kick-off.

The 2026 WAFCON is billed to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, under a compressed timetable that follows the delayed 2024 edition, which was impacted by global scheduling challenges, including the Paris Olympics.

The development was announced on Sunday night by South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Peace Mabe, who revealed that the Rainbow Nation would take over hosting duties after Morocco’s sudden decision to pull out.

Speaking at the Super League Awards ceremony in Johannesburg, Mabe confirmed that the handover had been finalised, leaving South Africa with a tight window to prepare for Africa’s flagship women’s football tournament, which also doubles as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

“Tonight, I would like to announce that South Africa will be hosting the 2026 WAFCON, which we all know is a qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil,” Mabe said.

Morocco’s withdrawal has come as a surprise, especially after the North African nation hosted the men’s Africa Cup of Nations just weeks ago.

Although no official explanation has been issued by Moroccan authorities or the Confederation of African Football (CAF), the decision is believed to follow heightened domestic tensions after the dramatic AFCON final in Rabat, where the hosts lost to Senegal.

The 2026 WAFCON was originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3 and will feature an expanded 16-team format. However, it remains unclear whether the dates will change following the switch in hosts.

The aftermath of the AFCON final was marred by controversy, disciplinary actions and public criticism, with reports suggesting growing internal pressure on Morocco to step back from hosting further major CAF competitions in the short term.

South Africa’s late confirmation as hosts presents a significant logistical challenge, but the country is no stranger to staging top-level women’s football on the continent.

Banyana Banyana lifted the WAFCON trophy on home soil in 2022, a triumph that underlined South Africa’s status as one of Africa’s leading forces in the women’s game.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations carries added significance, with the expanded format allowing the four semi-finalists to qualify automatically for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The remaining two African slots will be decided through inter-confederation play-offs involving the losing quarter-finalists.

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It was another action-packed weekend for Nigerian players across Europe and beyond, defined by historic milestones, debut goals and decisive moments, as Victor Osimhen reached his 200th career goal and Joy Omewa made an instant impact in England. OLAMIDE ABE writes

SUNDAY

Turkey

Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Osimhen reached a defining milestone on Sunday, becoming a 200-goal forward as Galatasaray eased past Kayserispor in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Nigeria striker doubled his side’s advantage in a commanding performance, underlining his standing as one of Africa’s most prolific forwards of his generation.

The strike took him to 200 career goals for club and country, achieved across 336 senior appearances, alongside 51 assists. At club level alone, he has scored 165 goals in 284 matches, with his most productive spells coming at SSC Napoli and Galatasaray.

A breakdown of his club output shows 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli, 51 in 61 matches for Galatasaray, 18 for LOSC Lille, 20 for Royal Charleroi SC and a modest return during his early spell at VfL Wolfsburg. For Nigeria, he has scored 35 goals in 51 appearances, reinforcing his status as the country’s leading marksman of the modern era.

The weekend goal also extended a remarkable run, having recently become the fastest player to reach 50 goals for Galatasaray. Beyond scoring, Osimhen provided an assist before being withdrawn in the 82nd minute, as Mauro Icardi later sealed the win from the penalty spot.

England

Joy Omewa (Nottingham Forest Women)

Omewa announced herself to English football in emphatic fashion, scoring on her debut for Forest Women despite a heavy defeat. The Super Falcons forward found the net in Forest’s 5-1 loss to Birmingham City in the Women’s Super League 2.

Omewa, who joined from Danish side Fortuna Hjørring earlier in the week, drew Forest level shortly before half-time after showing composure to beat her marker and finish calmly. Although the visitors eventually pulled away, her goal stood out as a positive moment on a difficult afternoon.

The strike continued an extraordinary scoring streak, with Omewa now having found the net in 15 of her last 16 league matches. Her movement and attacking awareness offered Forest supporters early encouragement ahead of their next fixture against Charlton on February 8, before a possible mid-February departure for WAFCON duty.

Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest)

Aina produced a disciplined defensive display as Nottingham Forest, reduced to ten players, held Crystal Palace to a draw. The Nigeria defender was heavily involved, recording seven defensive contributions, winning eight of 10 ground duels and completing all three of his aerial contests.

Aina also made eight recoveries and four clearances, which underlines his importance as Forest absorbed pressure for long spells. Despite conceding territory, his work rate and positioning helped Forest emerge with a valuable point.

Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace)

Uche featured from the bench in the same encounter at the oppositing team of Aina, making his 12th league appearance of the season.

The midfielder completed half of his passes, attempted one shot and covered close to 30 metres in ball carries during his brief outing.

Uche is yet to register a goal or assist in the league despite being in good form for the London club in Europe, averaging 14 minutes per league appearance, but continues to gain experience at top-flight level.

Iwobi, Chukwueze, Bassey (Fulham)

Alex Iwobi was heavily involved despite Fulham’s late heartbreak against Manchester United. Playing the full match, the midfielder completed 96 per cent of his 75 passes, created two key chances and registered an expected assists figure of zero point 27.

Iwobi covered significant ground in possession, recording 34 carries and more than 255 metres in total carrying distance. His influence in midfield remained evident even as Fulham conceded a dramatic late winner.

Samuel Chukwueze on the other hand was given a surprise start by Marco Silva, just three days after the loss of his mother, and delivered an energetic performance before being withdrawn.

He completed five dribbles, created one key pass and was unfortunate to see a goal ruled out for offside. Despite Fulham’s defeat, his willingness to take on defenders and stretch play stood out, particularly in the first half as the hosts sought to break down Manchester United’s defence.

2024/25 Fulham’s Player of The Season, Calvin Bassey, was introduced late as Fulham attempted to salvage a draw in the closing stages.

Although the plan ultimately failed, his inclusion highlighted the trust placed in him during high-pressure moments.

Italy

Babajide, Oladipo (AS Roma Women)

Babajide delivered a dramatic late intervention in Italy, rescuing a point for AS Roma Women with a stoppage-time equaliser against Parma.

Coming off the bench in the 59th minute, the Super Falcons winger headed home in the ninth minute of added time to secure a 3-3 draw.

The goal was Babajide’s third for Roma and her first league strike since her Serie A debut earlier in the season.

It also preserved Roma’s seven-match unbeaten league run, keeping them top of the Serie A Femminile table with 29 points, five clear of Inter.

Her compatriot Shukurat Oladipo started in defence for Roma, continuing her regular involvement at the back. Roma next face AC Milan as they aim to consolidate their position at the summit.

Mexico

Taiwo Lawal (Mazatlán)

In Mexico, Lawal continued her fine scoring form for Mazatlán FC, netting again in a 5-0 victory over Necaxa.

The Super Falcons prospect scored the third goal of the match, taking her tally to five goals for the season.

She remains Mazatlán’s leading scorer, one goal clear of Abigail López, although the club sit 11th in the table with 10 points.

Attention now turns to a clash with Pachuca, where Lawal is set to face fellow Nigeria forward Chinwendu Ihezuo.

SATURDAY

England

Arthur Okonkwo (Wrexham)

Okonkwo continued his impressive run with Wrexham, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 away win over Sheffield Wednesday.

The goalkeeper has now recorded seven clean sheets in 27 matches, backed by 77 saves across the campaign.

Wrexham sit sixth in the Championship table, occupying a promotion play-off spot, and have lost just one of their last nine games, with Okonkwo’s consistency proving vital to their momentum.

Italy

Rafiu Durosinmi (Pisa)

Durosinmi made an immediate impact off the bench for Pisa, providing the assist for their only goal in a 3-1 defeat to Sassuolo.

Introduced at the start of the second half, he needed just five minutes to influence proceedings.

It was his first assist for the club since joining from Czech Republic and his second goal contribution overall, following his debut goal against Atalanta. While Pisa fell short, Durosinmi’s sharpness once again caught the eye.

His compatriot Ebenezer Akinsanmiro was an unused substitute in the same match, remaining on the bench throughout. His involvement remains limited for since AFCON return, but his presence continues to underline Pisa’s growing Nigerian contingent.

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