Every Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final as the 2026 edition kicks off on Sunday
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals kick off in Morocco on Sunday as a record 16 teams take aim at the title.
Only six teams have reached the deciding match since the tournament was first staged in 1998, with three lifting the trophy: Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa.
Ghana and Cameroon have reached three finals each and come away empty-handed every time, while Morocco have lost the last two.
Here is a quick look back at the 13 deciding matches that have been played to date.
The first edition of what was then called the <a href="https://absafricatv.com/xenophobia-and-betrayal-of-the-south-african-dream/” title=”Xenophobia and betrayal of the South African dream”>African Women’s Championship was hosted by Nigeria and featured eight teams, with the Super Falcons beating Ghana 2-0 in the final in Ijebu Ode. “NK” Okosieme and Stella Mbachu scored either side of the half-time break.
2000 – Nigeria 2-0 South Africa
The final of the tournament in South Africa was played in Vosloorus in front of a capacity crowd, with all spectators let in for free. However, after Mbachu scored Nigeria’s second goal against the home side, the crowd began rioting and the match was abandoned, with Nigeria declared the winners.
Perpetua Nkwocha and Ekpo Effionwan were the scorers as Nigeria completed a hat-trick of titles with another home success over Ghana, with the final this time hosted in Warri.
The Super Falcons’ dominance of women’s football in Africa was never better illustrated than in the final at Johannesburg Stadium, as Nkwocha scored four goals and Vera Okolo got the other in a 5-0 demolition of Cameroon.
Nigeria hosted the tournament for a third time and again won it by beating Ghana in the final. It was closer than previously, however, with Nkwocha scoring the only goal of the game.
2008 – Equatorial Guinea 2-1 South Africa
Equatorial Guinea became the first country other than Nigeria to win the title as they hosted the tournament, but their side was packed with Brazilians as they edged South Africa 2-1 in the final.
2010 – Nigeria 4-2 Equatorial Guinea
Not long after the men’s World Cup, South Africa were the hosts, but it was Nigeria who beat Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in the final. Nkwocha scored in her fourth final and Desire Oparanozie also netted, while Equatorial Guinea’s Brazilian imports added two own goals to the Super Falcons’ tally.
2012 – Equatorial Guinea 4-0 South Africa
Eleven players in Equatorial Guinea’s team were Brazilian, as FIFA continued to turn a blind eye to their preposterous recruitment policy. On home soil in Malabo, they thrashed Banyana Banyana 4-0 in the final, with Nigeria-born Gloria Chinasa scoring twice and Tifa, from São Paulo, and Genoveva Añonman also finding the net.
Namibia hosted the finals for the first time, but it was Nigeria who triumphed in Windhoek, beating Cameroon 2-0 in the final. Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala scored the goals as the Super Falcons reclaimed the trophy.
For a second successive tournament, Nigeria beat Cameroon in the final, but this time it was in Yaoundé. Oparanozie’s late winner broke home hearts as the tournament enjoyed plentiful crowd support.
2018 – Nigeria (4) 0-0 (3) South Africa
For the first time, the title was decided on penalties, with Nigeria edging South Africa 4-3 on spot-kicks following a goalless draw in the final in Accra. For the Super Falcons, it was their ninth title.
2022 – South Africa 2-1 Morocco
After COVID-19 led to the cancellation of the 2020 finals, Morocco hosted the 2022 tournament and reached the decider in Rabat. However, it was South Africa who emerged victorious, as Hildah Magaia scored both goals before Morocco pulled one back late in the game through Rosella Ayane.
Nigeria came from two goals down to seal a 10th continental title in a thrilling final in Rabat. Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy had Morocco 2-0 up inside 24 minutes and they looked in complete control. But when Esther Okoronkwo pulled a goal back from the penalty spot, it was game on, and Folashade Ijamilusi equalised in the 71st minute. Jennifer Echegini netted the winner two minutes from the end to complete the comeback.
MentionsSoccerAfrica Cup of Nations WomenNigeriaSouth AfricaGhanaEquatorial GuineaCameroonMoroccoAfrican footballGlobalSouth AfricaKenyaGhanaNigeria
