Tanzania’s Chenge youngest player at WAFCON 2026

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Tanzania’s Elizabeth Chenge has been confirmed as the youngest player at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football unveiled the final squad lists for the tournament in Morocco, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

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The 15-year-old is among the 413 players registered by the 16 participating nations for Africa’s premier women’s football competition, underlining the emergence of a new generation of talent on the continent.

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Chenge is three years younger than Nigeria’s youngest player at the tournament, goalkeeper Fatima Oloko, who is 18.

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CAF also confirmed that the oldest players at this year’s tournament are Mali midfielder Fatoumata Diarra and Zambia forward Racheal Nachula, who are both 40 years old.

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Nigeria’s oldest player at the tournament is Osiachi Ohale, who will be 35 in December.

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Cameroon striker Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné is set to make history by featuring at her eighth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the most appearances by any player in the competition’s history.

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“The confirmed squads reflect both the continued growth of women’s football across the continent and the emergence of a new generation of talented players ready to compete on Africa’s biggest stage.

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“The squad lists also highlight the remarkable diversity of experience across the tournament, with an age gap of 25 years separating the oldest and youngest players selected,” CAF said in a statement on its website.

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CAF also highlighted other teenage prospects expected to make an impact at the tournament, including Burkina Faso’s Deborah Guira, Ivory Coast’s N’Sira Safi Ouedraogo and Mali’s Kadiatou Diarra, all born in 2008.

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The 2026 WAFCON kicks off in Morocco with 16 teams battling for continental honours, while defending champions Nigeria are seeking a record-extending 11th title.

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