Oparanozie Disappointed by Postponed 2026 WAFCON Dates

Desire Oparanozie, the former captain of Nigeria's Super Falcons, voiced her profound disappointment regarding the postponement of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which was originally scheduled to take place from March 17 to April 3, 2026, but has now been moved to July 25 to August 16, 2026. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced this change, which Oparanozie believes reflects a recurring issue in women's football.

She highlighted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the men's Africa Cup of Nations was held in 2021, while women's events faced delays. Oparanozie emphasized the mental and physical toll this uncertainty has on players who are already preparing for the tournament.

The postponement also raises concerns about the safety of teams, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East affecting travel. The Nigerian team is currently preparing for high-profile friendlies against Ghana as they gear up for the tournament.