Eq Guinea and Tunisia upset in Wafcon 2026 qualifiers
Former champions Equatorial Guinea will miss the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) after falling to an upset in the first round of qualifying on Wednesday.
The Equatoguineans trailed 3-1 heading into the second leg of their tie against Tanzania, who are 63 places below them in the world rankings, and could only manage a 1-1 draw at home.
Winners in 2008 and 2012, Equatorial Guinea have failed to reach a Wafcon since 2018, when they finished bottom of their group.
Elsewhere, Kenya goalkeeper Lilian Awuor saved two penalties as the East Africans pulled off a major shock by eliminating Tunisia.
After an early goal from Tereza Engesha the Harambee Starlets, ranked 71 places beneath their opponents, saw out a 1-0 win in North Africa to go through.
Meanwhile, Botswana have been eliminated before even taking part in the 2024 edition of the tournament, which will be held in Morocco in July.
The southern Africans drew 0-0 away against DR Congo, who have also reached this year's finals, and ultimately exited 2-0 on aggregate.
Togo and Mali were the most convincing winners, triumphing respectively 10-0 on aggregate against Djibouti and 10-1 overall against Gabon.
The second round of qualifiers will be held in October and will decide which 11 teams will join Morocco, who will host again, at the 2026 tournament.
Reigning champions South Africa, Zambia and Nigeria were among the six highest-ranked sides given a bye to the second round.
The dates of the 2026 Wafcon finals are yet to be announced by the Confederation of African Football.
Elsewhere in the first round, Ethiopia turned around a 2-0 deficit from their first leg against Uganda, triumphing 2-0 on Wednesday before winning 5-4 on penalties, while Namibia beat Eswatini 1-0 to progress 4-0 on aggregate.
Burkina Faso will now face Togo after beating Burundi 5-1 overall and DR Congo will face Wafcon holders South Africa after their success over Botswana.
Kenya's reward for beating Tunisia is a tie against The Gambia, who are 23 places above them in the world and were 4-1 aggregate winners over Niger.
Mali will face Cape Verde, whose own convincing 4-1 win over Guinea saw them progress 6-3 over both legs.
Meanwhile, Benin set up an all-West African second-round tie against 11-time continental champions Nigeria after beating Sierra Leone 5-2.
Egypt, chasing a first qualification for the finals since 2016, drew 2-2 against Rwanda to progress 3-2 overall and will face Ghana.
Algeria set up a tie against Cameroon after thumping South Sudan 8-0 over both legs.
Elsewhere, Malawi were handed a walkover as their opponents Congo-Brazzaville are suspended from international football, while Senegal also progressed without playing after Chad withdrew from qualifying after the draw was made.
Senegal will play Ivory Coast in the second round and Malawi will take on Angola, who beat Zimbabwe 5-4 on penalties after their tie ended 3-3 on aggregate.
Wafcon 2026 qualifying first round results
Zimbabwe 2-1 Angola (3-3 agg) - Angola win 5-4 on penalties
Congo-Brazzaville P-P Malawi - Malawi progress via walkover
DR Congo 0-0 Botswana (2-0 agg)
Equatorial Guinea 1-1 Tanzania (2-4 agg)
Ethiopia 2-0 Uganda (2-2 agg) - Ethiopia win 5-4 on penalties
Namibia 1-0 Eswatini (4-0 agg)
Burkina Faso 4-1 Burundi (5-1 agg)
Togo 5-0 Djibouti (10-0 agg)
Algeria 3-0 South Sudan (8-0 agg)
Egypt 2-2 Rwanda (3-2 agg)
Kenya 1-0 Tunisia (1-0 agg)
The Gambia 2-1 Niger (4-1 agg)
Sierra Leone 1-3 Benin (2-5 agg)
Cape Verde 4-1 Guinea (6-3 agg)
Mali 4-1 Gabon (10-1 agg)
Senegal P-P Chad - Senegal progress after Chad withdrew
Wafcon 2026 qualifying second round fixtures
Angola v Malawi
DR Congo v South Africa
Tanzania v Ethiopia
Namibia v Zambia
Burkina Faso v Togo
Algeria v Cameroon
Egypt v Ghana
Kenya v The Gambia
Benin v Nigeria
Cape Verde v Mali
Senegal v Ivory Coast
Home and away ties to be held from 20-28 October 2025
