WAFCON 2026 Qualifiers: Equatorial Guinea knocked out as Kenya, others shine

Former champions Equatorial Guinea will not feature in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after suffering an early exit in the first round of qualifying.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg against Tanzania, ranked 63 places below them globally, Equatorial Guinea managed only a 1-1 draw at home on Wednesday, resulting in a 4-2 aggregate defeat. Winners of WAFCON in 2008 and 2012, the Equatoguineans have not qualified for the tournament since 2018, when they finished bottom of their group.

Kenya produced one of the biggest shocks of the round as goalkeeper Lilian Awuor saved two penalties to help the Harambee Starlets eliminate Tunisia. Tereza Engesha’s early goal in North Africa secured a 1-0 aggregate victory for the East Africans, ranked 71 places below their opponents.

Meanwhile, Botswana’s campaign ended before the 2024 WAFCON tournament in Morocco, following a goalless draw against DR Congo. Botswana exited 2-0 on aggregate, with DR Congo advancing to this year’s finals.

Elsewhere, Togo and Mali were the most dominant sides, recording aggregate wins of 10-0 and 10-1 over Djibouti and Gabon, respectively.

The second round of qualifiers, scheduled for October, will determine the 11 teams to join host nation Morocco at the 2026 WAFCON. Reigning champions South Africa, alongside Zambia and Nigeria, are among the six highest-ranked teams granted byes to the second round.

The dates of the 2026 Wafcon finals are yet to be announced by the Confederation of African Football.

Elsewhere in the first round, Ethiopia turned around a 2-0 deficit from their first leg against Uganda, triumphing 2-0 on Wednesday before winning 5-4 on penalties, while Namibia beat Eswatini 1-0 to progress 4-0 on aggregate.

Burkina Faso will now face Togo after beating Burundi 5-1 overall and DR Congo will face Wafcon holders South Africa after their success over Botswana.

Kenya’s reward for beating Tunisia is a tie against The Gambia, who are 23 places above them in the world and were 4-1 aggregate winners over Niger.

Mali will face Cape Verde, whose own convincing 4-1 win over Guinea saw them progress 6-3 over both legs.

Meanwhile, Benin set up an all-West African second-round tie against 11-time continental champions Nigeria after beating Sierra Leone 5-2.

Egypt, chasing a first qualification for the finals since 2016, drew 2-2 against Rwanda to progress 3-2 overall and will face Ghana.

Algeria set up a tie against Cameroon after thumping South Sudan 8-0 over both legs.

Elsewhere, Malawi were handed a walkover as their opponents Congo-Brazzaville are suspended from international football, while Senegal also progressed without playing after Chad withdrew from qualifying after the draw was made.

Senegal will play Ivory Coast in the second round and Malawi will take on Angola, who beat Zimbabwe 5-4 on penalties after their tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.

Home and away ties to be held from 20-28 October 2025