South Africa ready to step in as WAFCON hosting crisis deepens

With less than two weeks to go before the scheduled kickoff of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the tournament has been plunged into chaos. Amidst swirling rumours of a postponement or a total withdrawal by hosts Morocco, South Africa’s Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has thrown down the gauntlet: if Morocco can’t do it, South Africa will.

In a searing statement released Wednesday, McKenzie took aim at the lack of transparency surrounding the tournament, which is technically slated to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026. While praising CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe for his transformative leadership and financial growth within the organisation, the Minister didn’t mince words regarding the current scheduling blackout.

“We have more clarity about games being planned in villages in Limpopo than about the premier women’s football tournament on our continent,” McKenzie remarked, labelling the uncertainty a “double standard” that would never be tolerated in the men’s game.

🇿🇦 🇲🇦 “If Morocco is not ready to host the WAFCON, they should say so. We’re not a country without stadiums” ~ Minister @GaytonMcK says what’s happening to WAFCON is so unfortunate and they’re ready to step in when required! #SABCSport411 | @CAF_Online | @CAFwomen | @AFC_2025 pic.twitter.com/7LyjORiDhZ

— Velile Mnyandu 🇿🇦 (@Velile_Mnyandu) March 4, 2026

The “Moroccan Hangover”?

McKenzie went a step further, questioning if the hosting hesitation is a lingering side effect of the controversial Men’s AFCON final held in Morocco earlier this year. That match saw Senegal lift the trophy after a dramatic 1-0 victory—a result that followed a 16-minute pitch protest by the Senegalese players over a penalty decision.

The Minister pointedly asked if the continent is “being made to suffer” because of Morocco’s heartbreak in the men’s final, suggesting that geopolitical tensions may be stalling the women’s showpiece.

As the clock ticks down, McKenzie positioned South Africa as the continent’s reliable “Plan B.” With world-class infrastructure already in place, he affirmed that the nation is prepared to host the tournament to ensure the athletes receive the respect they deserve.

The Current State of the WAFCON Play:

The Schedule: March 17 – April 3 (Currently unconfirmed).

The Group B Stakes: South Africa’s Banyana Banyana are drawn against Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast.

The Deadline: CAF Head of TV and Communications, Luxolo September, stated on X that an official update is expected within 48 hours.

CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26.
There has been several discussions for weeks. The matter is receiving Urgent and high level attention. @CAFwomen pic.twitter.com/aewx7Y4fxH

— Luxolo September (@Lux_September) March 4, 2026