Former Liverpool forward Rinsola Babajide has publicly criticised the Confederation of African Football following the postponement of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Nigerian women's national football team star expressed her displeasure at the CAF's decision to delay the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF confirmed that the tournament, originally scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco, has now been moved to July 25 to August 16, 2026, citing unforeseen circumstances after consultations with global football governing body FIFA and other stakeholders.
Ex-Liverpool forward criticises CAF over late decision
The Super Falcons forward, who currently dons the colours of AS Roma, took to X on March 5 to react to the announcement.
The Nigerian forward posted a blunt message that quickly gained traction online.
“It’s actually embarrassing at this point…”
It’s actually embarrassing at this point…
— Omorinsola Babajide OON (@rinss98) March 5, 2026
Her reaction came as a surprise decision from CAF disrupted preparations for several participating teams, including Nigeria, which had already begun intensive training ahead of the tournament.
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Reports indicate the Super Falcons were already in camp and had recently played warm-up fixtures, including a 3–1 victory over the Cameroon women's national football team, where Babajide found the back of the net in the 43rd minute of the game.
Super Falcons' preparations disrupted
The Super Falcons—Africa’s most successful women’s national team, having won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles ten times—were finalising preparations for the competition before the CAF announced the postponement less than two weeks before kick-off.
Several reports noted that the late decision also affects player release agreements with clubs, travel plans, and national team camps, all of which had already been arranged based on the original March schedule.
Despite the disappointment, Babajide also appeared to acknowledge the need for professionalism amid the uncertainty, with some reports paraphrasing her as saying players would have to adapt and remain focused on upcoming matches.
Her reaction has since resonated widely among Nigerian supporters, many of whom have criticised CAF’s handling of the tournament and called for better organisation and communication regarding major competitions in African women’s football.
