Several all-time milestones are under threat at the upcoming 2026 WAFCON tournament in Morocco

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The 2026 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to provide several opportunities for records to be broken as the tournament returns to Morocco with a historic expansion to 16 teams.

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According to the Confederation of African Football, CAF, the 14th edition could see new milestones established in areas ranging from tournament appearances and titles to goalscoring records.

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It was detailed in a release titled, “TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations records that could be broken.”
nOnguéné eyes record eighth WAFCON appearancen

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Cameroon captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné could become the most experienced player in the history of the competition when the Indomitable Lionesses face Mali at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium on Wednesday, July 29.

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CAF stated that if Onguéné takes to the pitch, she will make her eighth appearance at a WAFCON finals, surpassing Nigeria’s Onome Ebi, who has featured in seven editions.

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The milestone would make the Cameroonian international the first player to reach eight appearances at the tournament.

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Ordega, Ohale target sixth title

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Nigeria’s Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale will be chasing another piece of history with the Super Falcons.

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The Nigerian duo already hold the record for the most WAFCON titles, with five each, and could extend that record to six if Nigeria successfully defend their crown.

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CAF described the pair as “perennial winners and overall leaders”, adding that their longevity had made them an inspiration to footballers across the continent.

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Houij’s fastest-goal record under threat

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Tunisia’s Mariem Houij currently holds the record for the fastest goal in WAFCON history after scoring against Togo just 17 seconds into their match at the 2022 edition.

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CAF described the goal as a “lightning-fast sprint followed by a clean strike”, saying the moment remains the fastest goal scored in the competition.

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With 413 players expected to feature at the 2026 tournament, CAF said players would be looking to score even earlier and claim the record.

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Nkwocha’s 11-goal record faces another challenge

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Nigeria legend Perpetua Nkwocha holds the record for the most goals scored by a player in a single edition of the WAFCON.

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Nkwocha scored 11 goals at the 2010 tournament, including hat-tricks against Mali in the group stage and Cameroon in the semi-final.

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CAF described the feat as “an all-time high mark that remains the ultimate standard for goal-scoring efficiency on the continent – 16 years later!”

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66-goal tournament record could be broken

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The record for the most goals scored in a single WAFCON edition currently stands at 66, set at the 2024 tournament in Morocco.

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CAF said the tournament “reached unprecedented heights of attacking efficiency” as 66 goals were scored throughout the competition.

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The record could, however, be short-lived following the expansion of the 2026 edition to 16 teams.

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According to CAF, the increase in the number of participating nations and matches “provides the perfect opportunity to see this glass ceiling shattered and a new goalscoring record established.”

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The expanded tournament is therefore expected to provide more than just a new competitive format, with several longstanding records potentially set to fall when the 2026 WAFCON gets underway.

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