Exciting Quarter-Finals Set for Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

The 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has reached its climax with the conclusion of the group stage, paving the way for an exhilarating quarter-final round scheduled for August 8 and 9. This prestigious tournament doubles as a qualifying event for the highly anticipated FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, set to take place in Brazil. The stakes are high, as the four teams that advance to the semi-finals will secure their spots in the World Cup, while the quarter-finalists who fall short will still have the opportunity to vie for two additional qualifying places through the Play-Off Tournament.

Quarter-Final Matchups: A Battle for Glory

Among the notable matchups is the clash between Côte d’Ivoire and Algeria, where Algeria seeks to make history by qualifying for their first Women’s World Cup. The team, buoyed by the impressive performance of Marine Dafeur from Bristol City, aims to capitalize on their momentum after finishing second in Group A. On the other hand, Côte d'Ivoire, under the guidance of coach Reynald Pedros, is hungry to return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 2015, looking to build on a solid group stage campaign.

Another thrilling encounter features Morocco against South Africa. Both teams are vying for a return to the World Cup, with Morocco aiming for their second consecutive appearance and South Africa chasing their third. Morocco has shown tremendous form throughout the tournament, while South Africa, despite some setbacks, remains a formidable opponent with a history of success in this competition.

In a highly anticipated matchup, Cameroon will face Nigeria. Cameroon, led by the on-fire Marie Ngah Manga, hopes to clinch their third World Cup appearance. Conversely, Nigeria's Super Falcons aim to extend their impressive record, having qualified for every Women’s World Cup since its inception.

Lastly, Malawi, making their debut in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, stands on the brink of a historic qualification for the World Cup. Their journey has been remarkable, finishing ahead of established teams like Nigeria and Zambia. They will compete against Ghana, a team that also has its sights set on returning to the World Cup after a long absence.

As reported by fifa.com.