South Africa’s Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister, Gayton McKenzie, has made a bold declaration regarding the WAFCON tournament, as a cloud of uncertainty hangs over the event, with reports suggesting a possible postponement just weeks before the scheduled kick-off.
The WAFCON is scheduled to start from March 17 to April 3, 2026. Morocco are set to host the competition for a record third consecutive time, utilising world-class venues in Casablanca, Fez, and Rabat.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, 4 February, McKenzie praised the growth of African football under current leadership but raised serious concerns about the lack of scheduling and transparency surrounding the upcoming WAFCON tournament.
The Minister began by praising Dr Patrice Motsepe, the president of the CAF. He dismissed critics who have attacked Motsepe’s integrity, characterising his tenure as a period of unprecedented growth.
“Dr Patrice Motsepe has been, in my view, the best president CAF has ever had. Under his leadership, we have seen improved revenues, better treatment and payment of referees and players, stronger development programmes, and greater professionalism across African football,” reads the statement by McKenzie.
The minister also extended congratulations to FIFA president Gianni Infantino for his ten-year milestone, noting South Africa’s pride in having a regional FIFA office that serves 14 Southern African nations.
GAYTON MCKENZIE ON THE WAFCON CRISIS
The tone of the statement took a different tune when addressing the crisis of the WAFCON competition. McKenzie expressed deep frustration over the “uncertainty” regarding the tournament’s schedule, suggesting a double standard between men’s and women’s football.
“We have more clarity about games being planned in villages in Limpopo than about the premier women’s football tournament on our continent. This is unfair to the teams preparing to compete… and most importantly to the women who have dedicated their lives to the sport,” he added.
McKenzie went as far as to question whether the delay is linked to geopolitical tensions or the fallout from the previous men’s AFCON tournament staged in Morocco.
The final between Senegal and Morocco on January 18 took a dramatic turn when Senegal’s players walked off the pitch to protest a penalty awarded to the hosts.
The game stopped for approximately 16 minutes. Senegal were lucky enough on the day to secure a 1-0 victory in extra time, winning their second continental title. This left the Moroccan people heartbroken, which many believe is the main reason the North African country wants to withdraw from hosting the WAFCON tournament.
“Are we all now being made to suffer because Senegal won the men’s AFCON? If Senegal had not won that final, would we still be sitting here with this uncertainty?” asked McKenzie.
SOUTH AFRICA’S OFFER TO HOST WAFCON TOURNAMENT
As the governing bodies face pressure to provide a definitive kick-off date, McKenzie positioned South Africa as a willing and capable alternative to ensure the tournament proceeds with the respect it deserves.
“If circumstances require a solution, South Africa is prepared to step forward and assist in hosting the tournament,” he declared.
He concluded with a call for the CAF leadership to provide immediate clarity, asserting that African women athletes deserve certainty and respect.
CAF has yet to issue an official statement or confirm the rescheduled dates. But according to Luxolo September, CAF’s Head of TV and Communications, the African football governing body will provide an official update within 48 hours to address the uncertainty surrounding the 2026 WAFCON tournament.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the 2026 WAFCON tournament. There has been several discussions for weeks. The matter is receiving Urgent and high-level attention,” wrote September on X [Twitter].
Banyana Banyana, who just suffered COSAFA Women’s Championship heartbreak last weekend after a 2-1 defeat to Namibia in the final, will be participating in the tournament. They are in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast.
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