Super Falcons defender calls out CAF over WAFCON postponement

Super Falcons and Al Ittihad Ladies defender Ashleigh Plumptre has called out the Confederation of African Football after the WAFCON 2026 tournament was postponed, Afrik Foot reports.

This came after the players had bid their clubs goodbye in the middle of an ongoing season, with the tournament scheduled to be held between 17 March and 3 April.

Prior to the postponement, there were doubts about which country would host the competition, as South Africa and Morocco had both been proposed to be confirmed hosts at specific points.

Ashleigh Megan Plumptre, a Falcons player, throws the ball as Nigeria s Super Falcons qualify for the Women Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON 2026 after playing a 1-1 draw 3-1 aggregate with Benin Republic s Amazons in the second leg of the WAFCON 2026 qualifying match at MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State — Ashleigh Megan Plumptre. Photo by IMAGO

However, all preparations had to be halted after CAF officially announced on their website that the tournament had been shifted. The WAFCON 2026 will now be played from 25 July to 16 August 2026 in Morocco.

The organisation stated that the decision was made due to certain unforeseen circumstances.

Super Falcons: Ashleigh Plumptre blasts CAF over WAFCON postponement

Plumptre, born and raised in England but schooled in America, aired her displeasure about how the governing body of African football has treated the biggest women’s competition on the continent.

Ashleigh Megan Plumptre celebrates her maiden goal for Nigeria's Super Falcons qualify for the Women Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON 2026 after playing a 1-1 draw 3-1 aggregate with Benin Republic's Amazons in the second leg of the WAFCON 2026 qualifying match at MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, — Ashleigh Megan Plumptre celebrates her maiden goal for Nigeria’s Super Falcons. Photo by IMAGO

“It just wouldn’t happen for other tournaments,” the Former Leicester City women full-back said in an interview with BBC Match of the Day.

“In women’s football and men’s football, it wouldn’t happen. The last AFCON wasn’t less important than this one just because it wasn’t a qualification for a World Cup.

“Obviously, it’s a first time where there’s an edition for 16 teams, all of whom will want to go and qualify for the World Cup.

“It’s a big deal for many teams, many who’ve not been at the AFCON before. It also helps them financially as well.

“I’ve become accustomed and I just want to prepare the best way that I can, and we kind of just have to go with it because we have no other choice,” the 27-year-old concluded.

The Super Falcons had played a two-legged clash against the Lionesses of Cameroon in preparation for the WAFCON 2026 before the tournament was postponed.