Banda, Chawinga and the stars headlining WAFCON 2026
Zambia captain Barbra Banda and Malawi's Temwa Chawinga, two of the NWSL's premier goalscorers, lead a list of players CAF and broadcasters expect to define this year's tournament in Morocco.
Banda leads Zambia's charge
Barbra Banda captains a Zambia side chasing a first continental title, after Football Association of Zambia officials confirmed she overcame a hamstring scare picked up during Orlando Pride's NWSL season in time to be available for the tournament.
Chawinga and the NWSL contingent
Malawi's Temwa Chawinga arrives as one of the NWSL's most prolific scorers, part of a growing contingent of Africa's biggest stars now plying their trade in the United States alongside Banda and Zambia team-mate Rachael Kundananji.
A tournament of established names
CAF's pre-tournament "Stars Spotlight" webinars featured Banda and Chawinga alongside Nigeria's Asisat Oshoala and South Africa's Thembi Kgatlana, underlining the strength in depth heading into Morocco.
What's next
All the tournament's headline names are in action from the group stage on July 26, with MatchDayX carrying live coverage throughout.
Sources: CAF Online, ESPN, Lusaka Times, July 2026.