South Africa to save CAF by hosting the now-postponed WAFCON? Top government official responds

CAF confirmed on Thursday that the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled to start mid March has been postponed to July 25.

Morocco was to host the biennial competition, but the plan has now changed, reportedly due to fans’ behaviour at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where unsporting behaviour was witnessed.

Minister of Sports, Arts & Culture Gayton McKenzie has now confirmed that Mzansi is ready to take over.

“We are ready and open for business and tourists as South Africa. We are retaking our responsibility as the giant of Africa when it comes to hosting. We hope CAF takes the right decision in bringing it here,” he said as quoted by SABC Sport.

How Banyana Banyana were affected

Prior to the changes, coach Desiree Ellis had communicated how Banyana Banyana were in the dark regarding the competition.

“I think we are all in the dark, we all hear or see things on social media. So, if someone is listening, they can just give us a yes or a no because after the 7th it becomes very difficult because other dates belong to the tournament so you can’t keep the players,” Ellis said.

“It’s not a FIFA break where you can keep the players, like an international FIFA date where it’s a women’s FIFA date where you can play the friendlies because it was now from 25th [of February] to the 7th of March. 

“If we don’t hear anything we can’t keep players because other countries, and other clubs have recalled the players.  Some players haven’t even flown to their countries because of the uncertainty and it’s not fair, I’m just gonna raise one question, will this happen in the men’s game?” She concluded.