2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations Predictions: The Contenders, Dark Horses & Players to Watch
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations is one of the most exciting tournaments in international women's football.
Every edition brings together some of the continent's biggest footballing powers, emerging nations, established stars, and players looking to announce themselves on the international stage.
Africa's women's game continues to grow, and the gap between the traditional powerhouses and the rest of the continent continues to evolve.
So, who will come out on top?
Here are my predictions for every group, along with the players I believe could make the biggest impact.
Group A
My Predicted Standings
Senegal
Morocco
Algeria
Kenya
Players to Watch
Aissatou Fall — Senegal
Ghizlane Chebbak — Morocco
Melissa Bethi — Algeria
Lilian Awuor — Kenya
My Take
Senegal topping Morocco is probably one of my boldest predictions of the group stage.
Morocco are the hosts and one of the continent's strongest sides, making them an obvious contender to finish first. But I believe Senegal have the ability to challenge them and potentially take the top spot.
Algeria could be a difficult team to play against and may have enough quality to push for a knockout position, while Kenya enter the tournament as the underdogs of the group.
If Senegal can find consistency in front of goal, I think they could surprise people.
Group B
My Predicted Standings
Ivory Coast
South Africa
Burkina Faso
Tanzania
Players to Watch
Rosemonde Kouassi — Ivory Coast
Thembi Kgatlana — South Africa
Charlotte Milogo — Burkina Faso
Nusra Jafari — Tanzania
My Take
Putting Ivory Coast above South Africa is another one of my major predictions.
South Africa remain one of the biggest powers in African women's football, but Ivory Coast have the talent to challenge them for the top of this group.
Rosemonde Kouassi could be the difference-maker.
If Ivory Coast can get the best out of their attacking players, I believe they have a genuine chance to finish first.
Burkina Faso could also play spoiler. They may not be the favorites, but they have enough quality to make life difficult for both Ivory Coast and South Africa.
Group C
My Predicted Standings
Nigeria
Zambia
Egypt
Malawi
Players to Watch
Rasheedat Ajibade — Nigeria
Barbra Banda & Racheal Kundananji — Zambia
Nadine Ghazi — Egypt
Tabitha & Temwa Chawinga — Malawi
My Take
This might be the group with the most attacking firepower.
Nigeria remain one of Africa's traditional giants and are always going to be among the favorites. But Zambia may have the most frightening attacking duo in the tournament.
Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji are capable of changing a match in an instant, and if Zambia can find consistency throughout the tournament, they could go much further than people expect.
Egypt are a team that could surprise as well.
And then there is Malawi.
On paper, I have them finishing fourth. But this could be the most dangerous fourth-place team in the tournament.
With Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga capable of creating something out of nothing, Malawi could make this group far more competitive than the standings suggest.
Group D
My Predicted Standings
Cameroon
Mali
Ghana
Cabo Verde
Players to Watch
Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné — Cameroon
Aïssata Traoré — Mali
Grace Asantewaa — Ghana
Varsenia da Luz — Cabo Verde
My Take
Cameroon taking the top spot is an interesting one.
Ghana are traditionally one of Africa's biggest women's football nations, but I believe Mali could be the team that surprises people in this group.
Mali have continued to establish themselves as a competitive force, and Aïssata Traoré could be crucial to their success.
Cameroon, meanwhile, have the experience and individual quality to win the group.
And then there's Cabo Verde.
The Cabo Verdean women's team enters as one of the more intriguing sides in the tournament.
Following the country's historic rise on the men's side, Cabo Verde has become one of the most fascinating footballing stories in Africa.
Now the women's team has the opportunity to write its own chapter.
They may be my pick to finish fourth, but don't be surprised if they make life difficult for one of the favorites.
My Predicted Group Winners
Senegal
Ivory Coast
Nigeria
Cameroon
The Big Question: Can Anyone Stop Nigeria?
That's probably the biggest question heading into this tournament.
Nigeria's history, depth, and experience make them an obvious contender. They have consistently been one of the dominant forces in African women's football, and they know how to handle the pressure of major tournaments.
But I don't think this tournament will be straightforward.
Senegal over Morocco.
Ivory Coast over South Africa.
Cameroon over Ghana.
Zambia waiting in the wings.
If these predictions come true, we could be looking at one of the most unpredictable Women's AFCON tournaments in recent memory.
The traditional powers will be there.
The established stars will be there.
But I'm expecting some new stories to emerge as well.
My Dark Horses
Senegal
If I'm looking for one team to surprise people, it's Senegal.
I have them finishing above the hosts Morocco, which would already be a major statement.
But I think they could potentially go even further.
If Senegal can turn their attacking talent into consistent performances, they could become one of the tournament's biggest stories.
Mali
Mali are another team I have my eye on.
I don't think many people will have them among their favorites to win the tournament, but they have the ability to make a deep run.
A strong group-stage performance could give them the confidence to challenge one of the continent's traditional giants in the knockout rounds.
Cabo Verde
The biggest wildcard.
Cabo Verde's footballing rise has been one of the most fascinating stories in African football in recent years.
The women's side now has an opportunity to create its own history.
Even if they don't make it out of Group D, the experience of playing against some of Africa's strongest teams could be invaluable for the country's continued development.
Final Thoughts
The Women's Africa Cup of Nations continues to grow in importance.
The tournament is no longer simply about Nigeria and a handful of traditional contenders.
South Africa have become a major force.
Morocco have emerged as one of the continent's most exciting sides.
Zambia possess one of the most dangerous attacking combinations in world women's football.
Senegal, Ivory Coast, Mali, and others are continuing to push the boundaries of what is possible.
And that's what makes this tournament so exciting.
My predictions could be completely wrong.
That's part of the fun.
But if there is one thing I'm expecting from this Women's AFCON, it's unpredictability.
The favorites will be tested.
The underdogs will have their moments.
And somewhere along the way, a new star will emerge.
Let the tournament begin.
Photo Credits
Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Getty Images
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Theron Norrington
Founder & Editor, OffTheRecord
Independent journalism exploring the stories that shape sport, culture, and the world beyond the headlines.
© 2026 OffTheRecord. All rights reserved.
Comments