15-Year-Old Chenge Becomes Youngest Player at 2026 WAFCON

By Dorcas Francis Koji

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Tanzania’s Elizabeth Chenge as the youngest player at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after unveiling the final squad lists for the tournament in Morocco.

At just 15 years old, Chenge is the youngest among the 413 players selected by the 16 participating nations, highlighting the growing emergence of young talent in African women’s football.

The teenage sensation is three years younger than Nigeria’s Fatima Oloko, the Super Falcons’ youngest player at the tournament, who is 18.

CAF also revealed that the oldest players at this year’s competition are Mali midfielder Fatoumata Diarra and Zambia forward Racheal Nachula, who are both 40 years old, illustrating the blend of youth and experience that will be on display in Morocco.

For Nigeria, experienced defender Osinachi Ohale, who turns 35 in December, is the oldest member of the Super Falcons squad.

One of the tournament’s biggest milestones will belong to Cameroon captain Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné, who is set to make history by appearing at her eighth Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the highest number of appearances by any player in the competition’s history.

According to CAF, the final squad lists reflect the remarkable growth of women’s football across Africa while showcasing the next generation of stars ready to compete at the highest level.

“The confirmed squads reflect both the continued growth of women’s football across the continent and the emergence of a new generation of talented players ready to compete on Africa’s biggest stage.

“The squad lists also highlight the remarkable diversity of experience across the tournament, with an age gap of 25 years separating the oldest and youngest players selected,” CAF said in a statement.

CAF also identified several other teenage talents expected to make an impact during the tournament, including Burkina Faso’s Deborah Guira, Ivory Coast’s N’Sira Safi Ouedraogo, and Mali’s Kadiatou Diarra, all born in 2008.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will feature 16 nations competing for continental supremacy in Morocco.

Defending champions Nigeria head into the tournament aiming to extend their dominance by winning a record 11th WAFCON title, while several emerging teams will be hoping to challenge the Super Falcons’ long-standing supremacy in African women’s football.

With a blend of seasoned veterans and exciting young prospects, this year’s tournament promises to showcase the continued evolution and rising standard of women’s football across the continent.