₦airaland Forum

South Africa’s deputy minister of sport on Sunday announced that the country would replace Morocco as host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, but the national sports ministry later said no formal decision has been taken and “Morocco remains the confirmed host country.”

Deputy Minister Peace Mabe told a Johannesburg awards ceremony: “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.”

The tournament is due to run from 17th March to 3rd April 2026, leaving a tight window to prepare.

Hours after Mabe’s remarks, the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture issued a clarification saying the deputy minister’s comments were misunderstood.

“No decision has been made regarding a possible relocation of the tournament, and Morocco remains the confirmed host country,” the ministry said, adding that any change would require CAF approval and formal cabinet sign-off.

Reports that Morocco had withdrawn surfaced amid tensions after the men’s AFCON final, but continental organisers — the Confederation of African Football — have not published an official change of host, and Moroccan authorities have not confirmed a withdrawal.

South Africa, however, said it stood ready to help if CAF, headed by their billionaire countryman Patrice Motsepe, requested an alternative host on short notice.

With teams already preparing and WAFCON serving as World Cup qualifying, players and fans face uncertainty until CAF and Morocco give a clear, written decision

dominique:
They're behaving like spoilt brats and sore losers. So because they're the ones hosting all the CAF competitions and events, they thought they do whatever they like and get away with it. Na CAF I blame

semid4lyfe:
Good news. Morocco should officially withdraw already, they shouldn't waste time so South Africa can step in timely. They should even go further and withdraw from participating in the WAFCON, good riddance to bad rubbish.

Morocco has well-developed infrastructure, state of art stadia and sporting facilities, and were very good hosts but they're terrible sportsmen and their sense of sportsmanship is zero.

This thing started after the WAFCON when they filed a petition to CAF against the Namibian referee that officiated the final for "refereeing injustices" and the fallout was the resignation of the Ivorian head of the CAF referees committee who cited "interference" for quitting.

CAF subsequently appointed someone from DR Congo to head the Referees Committee and the outcome was the poor and blatantly pro-Morocco officiating we watched in the 2025 AFCON.

As a result, they got away with too much on the pitch. Their players constantly foul-baited referees, played to con VAR, committed bookable offences without being carded, penalties not being awarded against them etc They stole opposing keeper towels, used lasers, physically assaulted players and committed all manners of gamesmanship tricks so the whole of Africa was happy they did not win the AFCON.

Also, I am tired of Moroccans acting like they did Africa a favour by hosting the AFCON as if the infrastructure and sports facilities are not for the benefit of Morocco and Moroccans.

Morocco did not just host AFCON, they corrupted and poisoned football. Even the CAF awards is no longer based on meritorious performance. That's the reason a Moroccan coach of TP Mazembe in DR Congo who did not win the domestic league or anything in the continent will win the Women's coach of the year award ahead of Justin Madugu who won the WAFCON.

So I welcome and applaud their withdrawal from hosting the WAFCON. Make another country host am.

benardtotti:
This is why infrastructure is important, West African countries dont like investing in quality infrastructure, if nigeria had 5 of Abuja and akwa ibom stadium scattered across the country CAF will have alternative countries to counter north africa but NO , West African countries will rather do stomach infrastructure.

ubox:
Isn't that what the people want. You'll see comments like na stadium man go chop

neonly:
For Nigeria players is called
From fraypan to fire

BadBradley:
yet you say they are good host.

semid4lyfe:
Good news. Morocco should officially withdraw already, they shouldn't waste time so South Africa can step in timely. They should even go further and withdraw from participating in the WAFCON, good riddance to bad rubbish.

Morocco has well-developed infrastructure, state of art stadia and sporting facilities, and were very good hosts but they're terrible sportsmen and their sense of sportsmanship is zero.

This thing started after the WAFCON when they filed a petition to CAF against the Namibian referee that officiated the final for "refereeing injustices" and the fallout was the resignation of the Ivorian head of the CAF referees committee who cited "interference" for quitting.

CAF subsequently appointed someone from DR Congo to head the Referees Committee and the outcome was the poor and blatantly pro-Morocco officiating we watched in the 2025 AFCON.

As a result, they got away with too much on the pitch. Their players constantly foul-baited referees, played to con VAR, committed bookable offences without being carded, penalties not being awarded against them etc They stole opposing keeper towels, used lasers, physically assaulted players and committed all manners of gamesmanship tricks so the whole of Africa was happy they did not win the AFCON.

Also, I am tired of Moroccans acting like they did Africa a favour by hosting the AFCON as if the infrastructure and sports facilities are not for the benefit of Morocco and Moroccans.

Morocco did not just host AFCON, they corrupted and poisoned football. Even the CAF awards is no longer based on meritorious performance. That's the reason a Moroccan coach of TP Mazembe in DR Congo who did not win the domestic league or anything in the continent will win the Women's coach of the year award ahead of Justin Madugu who won the WAFCON.

So I welcome and applaud their withdrawal from hosting the WAFCON. Make another country host am.