As the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) continues to capture the attention of football fans across the continent, it is the perfect time to look back at the teams that have lifted Africa’s biggest prize in women’s football.
Since the competition began in 1991 before evolving into a full tournament in 1998, WAFCON has showcased the remarkable growth of the women’s game in Africa. While several nations have reached the final, only three countries have managed to win the coveted trophy, each leaving a unique mark on the competition.
From Nigeria’s era of dominance to South Africa’s breakthrough and Equatorial Guinea’s memorable triumphs, these champions have helped shape the history of African women’s football.
1. Nigeria: The Undisputed Queens of African Football
No conversation about WAFCON is complete without Nigeria.
The Super Falcons have set the standard for women’s football on the continent for more than three decades. They won the inaugural African Women’s Championship in 1991 and successfully defended it in 1995 before the competition adopted its tournament format in 1998.
Their dominance continued almost uninterrupted as they lifted titles in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006, establishing one of the greatest dynasties in African sport.
Although Nigeria briefly surrendered the trophy in 2008, they bounced back to win again in 2010 before reclaiming continental supremacy in 2014, 2016 and 2018.
After missing out on the 2022 title, the Super Falcons returned to the summit by winning the 2024 edition, reinforcing their reputation as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
Beyond the trophies, Nigeria has consistently produced some of the continent’s finest players, including legends such as Mercy Akide, Perpetua Nkwocha, Rita Nwadike, Asisat Oshoala, Onome Ebi, Desire Oparanozie and Rasheedat Ajibade. Their influence has stretched far beyond Africa, inspiring generations of female footballers.
Read: WAFCON 2026 Begins in Morocco: Everything You Need to Know
2. Equatorial Guinea: The Nation That Proved Nigeria Could Be Beaten
For years, Nigeria appeared almost untouchable. That changed in 2008 when hosts Equatorial Guinea stunned the continent by defeating South Africa in the final to become the first country outside Nigeria to win the championship.
Their success was no fluke. Four years later, they repeated the feat by once again overcoming South Africa to lift a second WAFCON title in front of their home supporters.
Those victories transformed Equatorial Guinea into one of Africa’s leading women’s football nations during that period and demonstrated that the balance of power on the continent was beginning to shift.
Although they have not returned to the summit since 2012, their achievements remain among the biggest moments in WAFCON history.
3. South Africa: Banyana Banyana Finally Make History
South Africa spent years knocking on the door. The team reached several WAFCON finals, consistently challenged Nigeria and established itself as one of Africa’s strongest sides, yet the trophy remained elusive.
Everything changed in 2022. Competing in Morocco, Banyana Banyana defeated the hosts 2-1 in the final to win their first-ever Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
The victory was historic for several reasons. It made South Africa only the third nation to win WAFCON and marked the first final that featured neither Nigeria nor Equatorial Guinea.
The triumph reflected years of investment in women’s football and paved the way for South Africa’s impressive run to the knockout stages of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they continued to earn global admiration.
Read: Commonwealth Games 2026: Team Nigeria Continues Its Medal Haul
The 2026 Story Is Still Being Written
With the 2026 WAFCON still underway, another chapter is being added to the tournament’s rich history.
Nigeria is once again chasing continental glory, South Africa hopes to prove its title-winning success was no one-off, while emerging nations such as Morocco, Zambia, Ghana and Cameroon continue to push the traditional powerhouses closer than ever before.
Whether the trophy returns to a familiar champion or a new nation celebrates for the first time, one thing is certain: every edition of WAFCON continues to raise the standard of women’s football in Africa.
The competition has grown from a modest qualifying tournament into one of the continent’s biggest sporting events, producing unforgettable matches, iconic players and stories that continue to inspire the next generation.
Follow RefinedNG for more WAFCON 2026 coverage, player spotlights, match reports and the biggest stories shaping women’s football across Africa.