Why Aren't We All Talking About WAFCON?
The World Cup is over but the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, a true festival of soccer and culture, is just getting started, writes Madison Hammond
Welcome back to OffBallFC, a dedicated soccer platform where we capture the conversation around the game differently, going deep on its crossovers with fashion, music, culture and everything in between. OffBallFC is written every Wednesday and Friday by two people who really know their stuff: sports and fashion journalist Daniel-Yaw Miller (lifelong lover/victim of Arsenal) and pro soccer player Madison Hammond (Utah Royals player, Man City Girl, but don’t let that frighten you).
The only thing that we should all care about right now is WAFCON. The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicked off this week, and the arrival fits remind us that the culture is on full display for this tournament. Plenty of eyes are on the Nigerian Super Falcons (dope name), who are looking to add the 11th star above their crest. My friend Estelle Johnson, who played internationally for Cameroon, was not too happy at this suggestion. It looks like everyone else is looking to ruin the Super Falcons’ day. Malawi, who are tournament debutantes, upset Nigeria in their first match behind three goals from the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha.
We can’t ignore the elephant in the room: the distinct lack of broadcasting coverage. Nigeria forward Asisast Oshoala called out the lack of coverage for the tournament and I need people to be angrier about it with her. This is a player who has played for FC Barcelona and Bay FC, won African Player of the Year six times, and she’s demanding better. Unfortunately, this is not a new story, but especially upsetting is the assumption that people don’t want to engage with the on-field product. However, I think about the England Lionesses’ win at the 2022 Euros and what that did for the sport and saw players on that team propelled to international stardom. Not to get too far out over my skis, imagining a similar impact for African players feels distant, but not impossible. Here’s how to watch.
So who should you have your eyes locked on during the tournament? I got you. The tournament features Zambian international Barbra Banda, who has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or in the last two years, and casually bagged four goals in their opening match. They are looking to stir up trouble in the tournament and are genuine dark horses.
Sidny Cabral Lopes will forever be remembered for this goal in the men’s World Cup for Cabo Verde, but the Blue Shark women are looking to Melany Fortes to lead their attack in their first-ever tournament.
Michelle Alozie is a fan favorite for the Nigerian side, and features here in the US for the NWSL’s Chicago Stars. She’s also got her degree in molecular biology and researched pediatric cancer while also playing professionally. These are the stories and people that need more coverage on the international stage.
For a WAFCON prediction read, the ‘Cutback’ has the playbook. Many people discuss the growth of the beautiful game on the African continent, and these African ballers are some of the biggest names in the game right now.
Moving away from WAFCON and into my truly random thoughts… I saw Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey and have decided that after reading Variety’s article ranking the performances, your favorite soccer teams are just like them. Odysseus is Gotham FC (NWSL). You can’t forget about the woeful Sky Blue days; it has been a long, arduous journey to get home for the Bats, but since then, it’s been a lot of kingly dubs.
Penelope is Arsenal, because she, too, has enough patience to wait for her prize, and Anne Hathaway is still their biggest fan. Chelsea (men) gotta be Agamemnon because while the camera-facing product looks incredibly cool, they are just a bleak aura farm with no bite. And clearly lots of problems at home.
Sam Kerr has returned to the NWSL and is already back to her prolific ways. The Australian forward scored over the weekend (shock) and then proceeded to say her performance wasn’t up to the standard, nor was the team’s (also shock). I wonder what it’s like to be a certified bucket but not smile during the process. I’m obsessed with her blunt honesty and am excited to watch her take the league back in her name. Except when I have a game against her.
Veteran striker Danny Welbeck might go to Chelsea and for some reason I feel really old. When I think of the dynamic forward, I can only associate him with his era as a wunderkind coming through the ranks at Man Utd. He’s now 35 years old, coming off a record goal-scoring season in 2025-26 that led to (unsuccessful) calls for his inclusion at the World Cup, and a move to Xabi Alonso’s side definitely makes me curious what the Blues have cooking. But anyway, I want him there because he’s just so wholesome.
Marc Cucurella is redefining loyalty. We all learned he doesn’t tie his hair back during matches so his son can recognize him, and the tears started flowing. Now the fullback is making his word bond by getting a portrait of his Spain’s head coach, Luis de la Fuente, tattooed on his arm. Once a promise is always a promise. His cool factor has definitely gone +10 from -50.