Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has expressed disappointment over the postponement of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026, the tournament has been rescheduled to July 25 to August 16, 2026, due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to CAF.
Nnadozie revealed that the decision disrupted the team’s preparations, noting that the players had already started gearing up for the competition. Speaking to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana in Lancing, Sussex, she said:
“We, the players, are not happy that the #WAFCON was postponed. We were preparing hard for it.”
The Brighton & Hove Albion Women goalkeeper has been in excellent form since moving from Paris FC last summer. Despite the setback, the focus remains on Nigeria as they seek to defend their continental crown, following their 10th WAFCON title, secured against host Morocco in the previous edition.
Nnadozie is expected to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s title defense, with her current form offering a significant boost to the Super Falcons’ ambitions.
The postponement could affect the training cycle, tactical planning, and player fitness, given the shift from March to late July.
Nnadozie’s form at Brighton & Hove Albion Women is a major advantage for Nigeria, providing stability in goal.
Nigeria enters the tournament as the record WAFCON champions, which adds pressure but also confidence for the squad.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
