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The upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) faces uncertainty, with doubts emerging over Morocco’s willingness to host the tournament in less than two weeks.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has pledged to clarify the situation in the coming days.
“There has been several discussions for weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high level attention,” CAF’s communications chief Luxolo September stated on social media platform X on Wednesday.
Morocco is slated to host the tournament for the third consecutive time from 17 March to 3 April.
However, persistent reports of the country’s withdrawal have circulated, despite CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s assurance on 13 February that the 16th edition would proceed as planned.
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Morocco, who finished runners-up in the men’s competition, is due to host the women’s tournament (Reuters)
Motsepe previously ruled out changing the dates, emphasising the tournament’s crucial role as a qualifying event for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
South Africa, which had previously offered to step in as host, has voiced strong criticism.
On Wednesday, South African sports minister Gayton McKenzie lambasted Morocco for leaving the tournament’s status in doubt just 13 days before its scheduled start.
“If Morocco is ready to host the WAFCON because they had a brilliant AFCON, they should do so,” McKenzie said. “But If they are not ready, we want to tell them, we are not a country with no stadiums, we are not a country with less infrastructure.
“We will never be held hostage by countries that have less than what we have. We will not allow women to be treated in such a fashion.”
CAF expanded the tournament to 16 teams in a surprise decision last November.
Nigeria are the defending champions, having beaten Morocco 3-2 in last year’s final. Morocco also lost the men’s Africa Cup final to Senegal in January and is a co-host for the men’s World Cup in 2030.
