The countdown to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is over. Sixteen nations will battle for continental glory when the tournament kicks off in Morocco on Sunday, with defending champions Nigeria chasing a record-extending 11th title and the rest of Africa attempting to dethrone the competition’s most successful side.
Since the tournament began in 1998, only six nations have reached the WAFCON final, while just three Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and South Africa have lifted the trophy. Ghana and Cameroon have each fallen short in three finals, while hosts Morocco are still searching for a first title after consecutive heartbreaks in the last two editions.
Ahead of another chapter in African women’s football, here’s a look back at every WAFCON final.
1998: Nigeria 2-0 Ghana
The inaugural African Women’s Championship was staged in Nigeria, and the hosts became the first champions. Goals from “NK” Okosieme and Stella Mbachu secured a comfortable victory over Ghana in Ijebu Ode.
2000: Nigeria 2-0 South Africa
Playing in front of a capacity crowd in Vosloorus, Nigeria retained the title against hosts South Africa. After Stella Mbachu doubled the lead, crowd disturbances forced the match to be abandoned, with the Super Falcons declared champions.
2002: Nigeria 2-0 Ghana
Nigeria completed a hat-trick of continental titles on home soil as Perpetua Nkwocha and Ekpo Effionwan scored in another final victory over Ghana in Warri.
2004: Nigeria 5-0 Cameroon
One of the most dominant performances in WAFCON history came in Johannesburg, where Nigeria overwhelmed Cameroon. Nkwocha produced a masterclass with four goals, while Vera Okolo added another in a comprehensive 5-0 triumph.
2006: Nigeria 1-0 Ghana
The Super Falcons claimed another home title courtesy of a solitary goal from Nkwocha, edging Ghana in a much tighter contest than their previous meetings.
2008: Equatorial Guinea 2-1 South Africa
For the first time, Nigeria’s monopoly on the trophy ended as hosts Equatorial Guinea lifted the title. The victory marked the emergence of a new continental force, with the hosts narrowly defeating South Africa.
2010: Nigeria 4-2 Equatorial Guinea
Nigeria reclaimed the crown in South Africa as Perpetua Nkwocha scored in her fourth WAFCON final, while Desire Oparanozie also found the net in an entertaining victory.
2012: Equatorial Guinea 4-0 South Africa
Playing at home in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea retained the trophy with an emphatic win over South Africa. Nigeria-born Gloria Chinasa scored twice as the hosts produced one of the biggest victories in a WAFCON final.
2014: Nigeria 2-0 Cameroon
After missing out two years earlier, the Super Falcons returned to the summit in Namibia. Goals from Desire Oparanozie and a young Asisat Oshoala sealed victory over Cameroon in Windhoek.
2016: Nigeria 1-0 Cameroon
Cameroon reached another final but again fell to Nigeria. Oparanozie struck a dramatic late winner in Yaoundé to silence the home crowd and deliver another continental title for the Super Falcons.
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2018: Nigeria 0-0 South Africa (Nigeria won 4-3 on penalties)
The title was decided by penalties for the first time. After a goalless draw in Accra, Nigeria held their nerve from the spot to win 4-3 and secure a ninth African crown.
2022: South Africa 2-1 Morocco
Following the cancellation of the 2020 tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Morocco hosted a memorable edition in Rabat. Hildah Magaia scored twice to hand South Africa their first-ever WAFCON title despite a late response from the hosts through Rosella Ayane.
2024: Nigeria 3-2 Morocco
One of the greatest finals in the competition’s history saw Nigeria produce a stunning comeback to reclaim the trophy. Morocco raced into a 2-0 lead through Ghizlane Chebbak and Sanaâ Mssoudy, but Esther Okoronkwo sparked the revival from the penalty spot before Folashade Ijamilusi restored parity. Jennifer Echegini completed the turnaround with a dramatic late winner to secure Nigeria’s 10th continental title.
