Nigeria were drawn with Egypt, Zambia and newcomers Malawi for the defence of their Women’s’ Africa Cup of Nations title in March when the draw was conducted in Rabat on Thursday.

The 2026 finals will be played in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, eight months after the last tournament which was also hosted in Morocco where Nigeria beat the hosts in the final.

The last finals were postponed by a year for logistical reasons. Next month’s edition carries added importance because it serves as qualifying for next year’s Women’s World Cup, with the top four finishers taking up Africa’s slots in Brazil.

Nigeria have won a record 10 African women’s titles, with South Africa the only other country in next month’s field to have also won a continental title. They were drawn in Group B.

Group fixtures

Group A (Rabat Moulay Hassan Stadium): Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Kenya

Group B (Rabat Al Madina Stadium): South Africa, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Tanzania

Group C (Casablanca): Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt, Malawi

Group D (Fes): Ghana, Cameroon, Mali, Cape Verde