The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has once again drawn criticism from the Super Falcons following its decision to postpone the WAFCON 2026 tournament. The announcement, made just days before the event was originally slated to begin between March 17 and April 3, led to immediate cessation of all preparations, amidst initial rumors that South Africa might replace Morocco as the host nation. CAF officially cited “unforeseen circumstances” for the abrupt shift, a justification that has done little to assuage the frustrations of players and stakeholders.

Among the most vocal critics is Chiamaka Nnadozie, the Super Falcons' goalkeeper for Brighton and Hove Albion. Having already bid farewell to her club teammates, Nnadozie was forced to return to England after playing a two-legged friendly against Cameroon, a situation she openly condemned. In a recent interview with The Guardian's Osasu Obayiuwana, the three-time CAF Goalkeeper of the Year expressed deep dissatisfaction, highlighting the extensive negative impact of the postponement.

Nnadozie articulated the collective disappointment felt by the players: “We, the players, are not happy about it. We don’t know the reason behind it, we were all prepared. We left our clubs, hoping to go to the Wafcon.” She further elaborated on the broader consequences, noting the distress caused to journalists, fans, and the entire ecosystem of nations that had commenced preparations for attendance. On a personal level, the postponement created significant inconvenience, with family members having already secured tickets and applied for visas. “It’s frustrating for me too because some of my family members already got their tickets, some had already applied for a visa,” she stated.

Recalling positive experiences from previous tournaments, such as the event in Morocco just over a year ago, Nnadozie shared anecdotes about team morale. She spoke of her role in bringing a boombox to the dressing room, an essential element for keeping the team's spirits high. “If I’m not carrying that boombox, the players will beat me up. It’s always on me to make sure I bring the music. It keeps us moving, it gives us the morale. I love to be happy. When I’m happy, you get the best of me. That boombox is like my happiness, you know?” she explained, even recalling a past instance where they lost their boombox in Morocco, only to replace it.

Reflecting on the broader landscape of women’s football in Africa, the former Paris FC goalkeeper acknowledged its growth but emphasized the ongoing need for greater support and investment. She concluded with a powerful statement, echoing a common sentiment: “Women’s football [in Africa] is growing, but there’s this thing they always used to say: the universe isn’t on a budget. We can always ask for more.”