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Ed DoveJan 16, 2026, 08:20 PM<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Ed Dove is a writer and scout who has a deep and enduring passion for African sport, politics and literature. Instagram: @EddyDove22, Facebook: @EddyDoveAfrica<\/p>\n Holders Nigeria<\/a> learned their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 group-stage opponents on Thursday, with the Super Falcons set to renew acquaintances with Zambia<\/a> in the opening round of the expanded tournament, set to begin in Morocco<\/a> in March.<\/p>\n Justin Madugu’s side must also face Egypt and Malawi, taking part in their first WAFCON, in Group C, while the hosts have a mouth-watering derby against Algeria to look forward to.<\/p>\n Morocco look to get their hands on a first women’s title having been defeated finalists last time out.<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n Nigeria’s meeting with Zambia, however, is comfortably the standout match-up of the group stage, with the pair having crossed paths in the quarterfinal of last year’s tournament en route to the Falcons’ record-extending 10th title.<\/p>\n Despite being billed as a close encounter between the tournament favourites and Zambia’s fearsome Bandananji strike force of Barbra Banda<\/a> and Racheal Kundananji<\/a>, Nigeria ran riot, stunning the Copper Queens in a 5-0 rout.<\/p>\n The two teams will once again meet at the same venue — the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca — when they face off in the group stage this time around.<\/p>\n Madugu’s team will be favourites once again to win the first ever 16-team WAFCON, with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) deciding during the qualifying campaign to allocate places to four extra teams for the competition.<\/p>\n Morocco, still overseen by Jorge Vilda — a Women’s World Cup winner with Spain<\/a> in 2023 — appear well placed to challenge the Falcons once again, having led 2-0 in July’s final in Rabat before a second-half comeback from Nigeria extended the North Africans’ wait for a first ever continental crown.<\/p>\n As well as Algeria, they will meet Kenya and Senegal<\/a>, quarterfinalists last time out, in Group A.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, 2022 champions South Africa<\/a> will be favourites to advance ahead of Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania from Group B, while Ghana<\/a>, Cameroon<\/a>, Mali and Cape Verde will contest Group D.<\/p>\n As well as the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, three other stadiums currently in use at the men’s Africa Cup of Nations — the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium and the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat, as well as the Complexe Sportive de Fes — will be used to host the tournament.<\/p>\nNigeria’s players celebrate with the trophy after winning their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.\u00a0ABDEL MAJID BZIOUAT\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n