Falcons Star Plumptre not happy with wafcon postponements postponement

Super Falcons defender has openly criticised the Confederation of African Football after the governing body postponed the 2026 , saying such disruption would “never happen” in other major tournaments.

CAF recently announced that the competition—originally scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026, in Morocco—has been pushed back to July 25 to August 16, 2026 due to logistical and organisational challenges.

Speaking in an interview shared by , Plumptre did not hide her frustration with the timing of the decision.

“It just wouldn’t happen for other tournaments in women’s football — especially in men’s football,” she said.

The defender insisted that African competitions deserve the same level of planning and respect as other global tournaments. According to her, the importance of the tournament should not depend on whether it serves as qualification for a World Cup.

Despite her criticism, Plumptre acknowledged the historic significance of the upcoming edition. The 2026 tournament will feature 16 teams for the first time, expanding opportunities for nations aiming to qualify for the .

She highlighted that the expansion could be life-changing for emerging teams across the continent.

“Many teams haven’t even played in AFCON before, never mind having the chance to qualify for a World Cup,” she noted, adding that participation can also bring crucial financial support for developing football nations.

However, the uncertainty caused by sudden scheduling changes remains a challenge for players.

Plumptre admitted that many African footballers have had to develop a “take it day by day” mindset, adapting to circumstances they cannot control.

CAF’s decision has sparked widespread debate across African women’s football, with players and coaches questioning how the delay could affect preparations, team planning, and the overall growth of the women’s game on the continent.