Queens of Africa: Nigeria’s dominance, record scorers and WAFCON legends set stage for history in Morocco

The countdown to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is almost over, with Morocco preparing to host the biggest edition in the competition’s history from July 26 to August 16.

While 16 nations chase continental glory, the tournament also brings renewed attention to the remarkable records, legendary players and unrivalled dominance that have defined WAFCON over nearly three decades.

Since adopting its tournament format in 1998, WAFCON has grown into Africa’s premier women’s football competition, producing unforgettable champions, prolific goalscorers and enduring rivalries. Yet one nation has towered above the rest throughout its history.

Nigeria’s decade-long reign of supremacy

Nigeria remain the undisputed queens of African women’s football, having captured a record 10 WAFCON titles. Their first triumph came in 1998, while their latest success arrived in the 2024 final, ensuring they enter this year’s competition as defending champions.

Even more impressive is their flawless record in championship matches. The Super Falcons have never lost a WAFCON final, underlining their status as the benchmark for every team on the continent.

Only Equatorial Guinea, winners in 2008 and 2012, and South Africa, champions in 2022, have managed to interrupt Nigeria’s dominance by lifting the coveted trophy.

Heartbreak for Ghana, Cameroon and Morocco

While Nigeria have celebrated repeatedly, several nations have endured painful near misses.

Ghana and Cameroon share the unwanted record of the most WAFCON final appearances without winning the title. Both countries reached three finals but finished runners-up every time, with Nigeria responsible for all six of those defeats.

Morocco have also experienced recent disappointment after successive final defeats. The Atlas Lionesses lost to South Africa in 2022 before falling to Nigeria in the 2024 showpiece.

Semi-final specialists and unmatched consistency

Nigeria’s consistency is equally astonishing. They are the only nation to have reached the semi-finals in every WAFCON edition, extending an unmatched streak across all 13 tournaments played.

South Africa have also established themselves as perennial contenders. Banyana Banyana have reached the last four in 11 of their 13 appearances, missing out only in 1998 and 2004 before embarking on an impressive run of nine consecutive semi-final qualifications.

The two powerhouses are also the only teams to have featured in every WAFCON tournament since 1998.

The tournament’s greatest goal machines

Nigeria’s dominance extends far beyond trophies.

The Super Falcons have played a record 79 matches at the finals, winning 62, drawing 10 and losing only seven. Their attacking prowess has been equally extraordinary, scoring 237 goals—more than double South Africa’s 111—and averaging exactly three goals per game.

Individually, few players have left a greater mark than Nigerian icon Perpetua Nkwocha. She still holds the record for the most goals in a single WAFCON tournament after scoring an incredible 11 goals in the 2010 edition.

South Africa’s modern stars have also etched their names into history. Thembi Kgatlana claimed the Golden Boot with five goals in 2018, while Hildah Magaia finished as joint top scorer in 2022 with three goals, including a memorable brace in the final that helped Banyana Banyana secure their maiden continental crown.

A new era begins in Morocco

This year’s tournament will open a fresh chapter in WAFCON history. For the first time, 16 teams will compete for the continental title, making it the largest edition ever staged.

Cape Verde and Malawi will make their tournament debuts, increasing the total number of nations to have appeared at WAFCON to 31 and signalling the continued growth of women’s football across Africa.