What sparked deputy minister Peace Mabe to make the claim is unknown, but she said Morocco had indicated it would no longer host the tournament and that South Africa had “seized an opportunity that presented itself because we have the necessary infrastructure and support”.
Clearly something is amiss. She was not misquoted and made the statement in a television interview, with her words crystal clear.
However, the Minister of Sport, Gayton McKenzie, later released a statement saying nothing had yet been decided, seemingly backtracking on the position, or possibly saving face if Mabe jumped the gun on an announcement that should not yet have been made.
“At this stage, no formal decision has been taken to relocate the tournament, and Morocco remains the officially designated host of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. CAF has not yet triggered any alternative hosting process,” McKenzie said.
“South Africa has expressed its willingness to support CAF if required, should alternative hosting arrangements for the 2026 WAFCON become necessary. These engagements form part of ongoing discussions initiated by CAF as it considers various contingencies in line with the confederation’s responsible stewardship of the continental game.”
Then came the telling part, which suggests Mabe may have got ahead of herself: “The Department, with SAFA and stakeholders, will continue to engage with CAF in a structured and responsible manner.
“Any further announcements will be made only once all required processes have been concluded and formal decisions taken.”
The tournament is due to start on March 17 and run to April 3. While South Africa could certainly step in from a facilities and infrastructure perspective, with stadia, hotels, communications infrastructure and transport links all in place as a legacy of the 2010 World Cup, it is not quite as simple as that.
Hosting a 16-team tournament of this scale requires a sizeable budget, money South Africa does not necessarily have, or can responsibly spend. SAFA would need strong government support and decisions would have to be made quickly. Those would need to go through Cabinet, which is not a rapid process, and the Presidency knows the cost of the tournament would bring stinging criticism.
McKenzie may have the appetite for it, but does the government at large?
So what would make Morocco pull out at this late stage? They have hosted the last two WAFCON tournaments, both successfully, but this is by far the most consequential edition.
That is because it also serves as a qualifier for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, a stage where Morocco desperately wants to be seen. On home soil, you would expect them to reach the semi-finals, which would ensure qualification.
Perhaps the same would apply if the tournament were played in South Africa, but the chances would diminish. It would be something of a proverbial own goal.
Is there any chance this is a reaction to events of the past week, where Morocco had hoped Senegal would be stripped of their men’s Africa Cup of Nations title and it awarded to the hosts following the fracas in the final?
That is pure speculation, but for a country that hosts almost every football event it can get its hands on, and will co-host the 2030 Men’s World Cup, it would be an incredible about-turn if there is any truth to it.
It is all a bit strange, but something prompted Mabe to make the statement she did on Sunday night.
The coming days will be telling, because if a decision is to be made, it must come soon.