COSAFA wishes trio well at TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON Morocco 2026 – COSAFA

The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) wishes South Africa, Zambia and Malawi every success as they fly the flag for the region at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026.

The expanded 16-team continental championship kicked off on Sunday and runs to the August 16 final, bringing together the leading women’s national teams on the continent.

COSAFA is proud to have three representatives at the finals, which underlines the continued growth and strength of women’s football in Southern Africa.

South Africa will compete in Group B alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania as they seek to add to their proud history in the competition.

Banyana Banyana were crowned African champions for the first time in Morocco in 2022 and return to the country with the experience and quality to once again challenge the continent’s best teams.

They begin their campaign against Tanzania in Casablanca on Monday evening.

Zambia and Malawi have both been drawn in Group C alongside defending champions Nigeria and Egypt, ensuring there will be a meeting between two COSAFA nations in the pool stages.
Zambia meet Egypt in Rabat on Tuesday in their opening pool game, while Malawi have a baptism of fire against champions Nigeria.

The Copper Queens have established themselves as a leading force in African women’s football and will be making their fifth appearance at the continental finals.

Malawi, meanwhile, will make history by competing at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON for the first time.

Their qualification is a significant achievement for the Scorchers and reflects the progress that has been made in women’s football in the country.

COSAFA President Tariq Babitseng says the presence of the three nations at the continental showpiece is a source of great pride for the region.

“On behalf of the entire COSAFA family, I would like to wish South Africa, Zambia and Malawi every success at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026,” Babitseng said.

“Having three teams representing our region at this prestigious tournament is a significant achievement and demonstrates the continued progress being made in women’s football across Southern Africa.

“We are especially proud to see Malawi make their debut at the finals, while South Africa and Zambia have consistently shown that they can compete with the leading teams on the continent.

“We know that all three teams will represent their countries and the COSAFA region with pride, passion and determination. Their performances will inspire young girls across Southern Africa to believe that they, too, can reach the highest level of the game.”

There will be further incentive for the three teams, with places at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil available through the tournament. The four semi-finalists will book a ticket to the global finals, with two more places up for grabs through the intercontinental play-offs.