South Africa Ready To Host WAFCON If Morocco Pulls Out – Gayton McKenzie

South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has declared that the country is prepared to step in and host the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at short notice should Morocco withdraw.

The tournament, which serves as a qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, is currently scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3. However, uncertainty continues to surround the hosting arrangements less than two weeks before kickoff.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is expected to announce a final decision by Thursday on whether the competition will proceed in Morocco or be relocated.

Speaking on Wednesday, McKenzie insisted South Africa has the capacity to organise the continental showpiece at short notice.

“We are ready because we have the stadiums, the people, infrastructure and transport system that are better than any country in Africa,” McKenzie said.

“Players don’t know when they are travelling, they don’t know what to tell their kids and make proper arrangements with their families.

We are ready to host because we won’t allow countries that don’t have the same infrastructure as ours to hold us hostage because people can’t make up their minds.”

He added that South Africa has previously stepped in as a late replacement host for major tournaments.

“Even the previous Afcons we hosted, we were standing in for someone else. We are a ‘super-sub’ and we are ready to do that again. It has never happened that two weeks before the competition, there is nothing.

There is no marketing around the tournament, there is nothing. I think we are dealing with a situation where it [cannot be] anyone but South Africa.

Then, if you can give it to us, host it. I have confidence in the staff at sport, arts and culture and we will pull it together.”

McKenzie further suggested that the uncertainty surrounding Morocco’s readiness reflects poorly on the commitment to women’s football on the continent.

With CAF’s decision imminent, participating nations and players await clarity as preparations for WAFCON 2026 hang in the balance.

Samuel Ahmadu

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.

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