Connect with us

Sports

A ‘combination of factors’ behind postponement

Published

on

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) had originally been due to kick off on March 17, with 16 nations from all over the continent set to compete in Morocco. But just 12 days before the opening game, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), postponed its biggest women’s football tournament until July.

In a statement, the body cited “unforeseen circumstances” but gave no details for the decision. In the absence of an explanation, rumors were soon circulating among fans and journalists alike. 

One rumor had it that the relationship between hosts Morocco and CAF had been severely damaged by events that occurred during the controversial final of the men’s tournament in January. Hosts Morrocco lost the final 1-0 to Senegal, whose coach had earlier led his team off the pitch in protest at a penalty decision. It was also noted that the WAFCON’s original schedule clashed with Morocco’s domestic league for which stadiums were needed.

“It is a combination of factors and it is not a decision taken lightly,” Luxolo September, CAF’s head of communications, told DW in an effort to set the record straight.

Advertisement

“There is a question of the host nation Morocco, requesting a postponement for a number of reasons. There has been a lot of interaction between Morocco, FIFA and CAF regarding the date. This is not a nice position for us, we have taken no joy from this. We would have loved to play in this window, it is a window we had requested.”

Moroccan and Senegal players gesturing at each other
January’s AFCON final was marked by controversy over a goal that wasn’t given and a penalty callImage: Mosa’ab Elshamy/AP Photo/dpa/picture alliance

Bad timing

There’s been an outcry about how long CAF waited to make a decision. 

“The teams had prepared, the teams had played a lot of friendly matches, so it was such a short time and just unfair” Jackline Juma told DW. As head coach of Kenya‘s U-20 women she had an up-close view of the disruption the delay caused to the senior team.

Kenya has just played friendly games against Ivory Coast and Benin, while Nigeria was in Cameroon and Ghana had held a training camp in Dubai.

“Twelve days out, your team is ready to go, you are fine-tuning the last little bits, you are making sure the players understand what their roles are going to be,” Vicki Huyton, founder of the Female Coaching Network, told DW.

Advertisement

“It’s about keeping the team morale, so 12 days out, the teams have spent one or two years, the hard work is done.”

It is not just the teams and the players who were about to travel to Morocco – fans and journalists are complaining at being left out of pocket.

“People had booked the hotels, press had booked their hotels,” Collins Okonyo, a player agent, told DW.

“It shows how disorganized you are. CAF should sit down and bring their house in order.”

Advertisement

CAF spokesperson September rejects this criticism, insisting that they did all they could to avoid a postponement.

“The announcement came very late as all the parties were trying to find common ground that would advance the situation and ensure that the competition continues as it must,” he said.

“It is important for CAF that the tournament is played in the best possible conditions, we don’t just tick a box.”

Weeks of uncertainty

The postponement did not come as a complete surprise. As early as February, a South African politician said that her country could step in to host at short notice. The day before the announcement, the minister of sport for 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, Gayton McKenzie, made a similar statement.

Advertisement

“If they are not ready, we want to tell them we are not a country with no stadiums or infrastructure… We will not allow women’s football to be treated this way,” he said.

Frauen-Afrika-Cup 2025 | Finale | Marokko vs. Nigeria | Nigerianische Mannschaft
Nigeria beat Morocco in the final of WAFCON 2024, which was played in July 2025Image: Mansa Ayoola/Shengolpixs/IMAGO

It is not the first time that WAFCON has been moved. Morocco had originally been due to host the tournament in 2024, but as it coincided with the Paris Olympics, it was delayed by a year – also at short notice. This and the latest postponement has led to accusations that CAF does not value women’s football as much as it does the men’s game.

“I don’t think AFCON men would be postponed, they are not treating women’s football with the respect that it deserves,” Juma said.

“It’s so frustrating and disappointing for women’s football in Africa, to postpone for no tangible reason. It’s very discouraging, women’s football is not as respected as men’s football.”

It is a charge that CAF denies.

Advertisement

“The facts speak for themselves,” September said.

“Look at the investment, don’t look at what people say. When the current president [Patrice Motsepe] of CAF arrived, he took the prize money for women’s football from $100,000 to $1 million (€86,000 to €860,000) in the space of four years. He introduced the Women’s Champions League. The advancement of women’s football is one of the top priorities for him and CAF.”

Potential silver lining but no consolation

Despite the late decision, some have tried to put a positive spin on things, noting that some national teams could benefit in terms of injured players being able to return to action by July.  There have also been reports in the South African media that the extra time coulc give the coaching staff there an opportunity to heal divisions that are currently damaging the team.

Advertisement

“If some of the teams have injury issues, it could benefit them,” Huyton conceded.

“But ultimately major tournaments like this have set dates. We are all aware they come around every two or four years and every team and coach works towards that.”

Edited by: Chuck Penfold

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

2026 NBA Mock Draft: BYU’s AJ Dybantsa goes No. 1 ahead of Kansas’ Darryn Peterson

Published

on

Advertisement

BYU

• Fr

Advertisement

• 6’9″

/ 212 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Sacramento

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

25.2

RPG

6.8

APG

3.9

3P%

33.8%

At this point, Dybantsa looks like the favorite to be the top pick in June. He’s a jumbo wing who is 6-foot-9 with a better than 7-foot wingspan. He’s athletic with an elastic body type, capable of creating his own shot at virtually any point, and the leading scorer in college basketball. He’s simultaneously made notable gains with his passing, finishing through contact at the rim, and even his 3-point shooting.

Advertisement

Kansas

Advertisement

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 205 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Indiana

Advertisement
PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

19.9

RPG

4.2

APG

1.8

3P%

38.7%

Peterson still has a real chance to go number one, with his overlap of shot-making, creation, and on/off ball versatility, along with backcourt size and length. But while Dybantsa’s game has ascended this year, questions about Peterson’s durability and availability have snowballed. In Indiana, he’d join a contender from day one and be able to pair with Tyrese Haliburton in the backcourt.

Duke

• Fr

• 6’9″

/ 250 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Brooklyn

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

22.7

RPG

10.2

APG

4.1

3P%

40.7%

Boozer’s case to be the top pick in the draft should be getting more consideration. No one has impacted winning more and there are zero questions about his durability. His overlap of physicality, intellect, and versatility should allow him to make a substantial immediate impact at the next level as well. In Washington, he’d pair nicely with Alex Sarr in the long-run, with Anthony Davis providing invaluable tutelage along the way.

North Carolina

• Fr

• 6’10”

Advertisement

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.8

RPG

9.4

APG

2.7

3P%

25.9%

Wilson is a high-flying athlete with a high-motor, budding defensive versatility, and an offensive game that proved to be ahead of schedule this year at North Carolina. Brooklyn might prefer an on-ball creator from a fit perspective, but Wilson would be widely perceived as the best prospect on the board.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Illinois

• Fr

Advertisement

• 6’6″

/ 185 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Utah

PROSPECT RNK

6th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

17.9

RPG

4.9

APG

4.3

3P%

41%

This begins the quartet of freshmen guards expected to go in the mid-lottery. What distinguishes Wagler is his size, shooting, feel for the game, and on-off ball versatility. On the heels of a breakout year from Keyonte George, it’s that ability to still impact the game off the ball that would make him potentially the best fit in Utah.

Advertisement

Houston

Advertisement

• Fr

• 6’4″

/ 190 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Atlanta

Advertisement
PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

16.5

RPG

3.9

APG

5.4

3P%

37.6%

Flemings is a dynamic athlete complete with speed, burst in his first-step, and leaping ability at the rim. He’s also a threat with his pull-up game, better than expected from three, and probably the best defender of the group. As Atlanta ventures into the post Trea Young era, Flemings would give them their lead guard of the future.

Louisville

• Fr

• 6’5″

/ 190 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Dallas

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

18.2

RPG

3.3

APG

4.7

3P%

34.4%

Brown is a late-blooming lead guard who is exceptionally talented with the ball in his hands. He’s a deep shooter and advanced passer who now boasts good positional size along with improved strength and athleticism. On a Mavs team that will be built around Cooper Flagg, he provides another creator who will also boast extreme gravity off the ball.

Arkansas

• Fr

• 6’3″

Advertisement

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

22.2

RPG

3

APG

6.4

3P%

43.7%

With Ja Morant’s days in Memphis likely numbered, the Grizzlies are going to need a future point guard to add to their young core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, and others. Acuff has been arguably the best point guard in college basketball this year with the most polished offensive game as a creator, shot-maker, and distributor.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Tennessee

• Fr

Advertisement

• 6’10”

/ 207 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

17.4

RPG

6.4

APG

2.4

3P%

32.8%

This may be a bit redundant with Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis already in place, but Ament is the best prospect on the board at this point. The combo-forward has real size and mismatch scoring tools as a late-bloomer who has consistently taken his game to new levels in recent years.

Advertisement

Arizona

Advertisement

• Fr

• 6’4″

/ 205 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Milwaukee

Advertisement
PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

1st

PPG

16

RPG

5

APG

2.6

3P%

37%

Burries is a physical guard loaded with competitive intangibles who can both get downhill and shoot the ball with range. Whether Milwaukee enters a full rebuild or not, he should be an immediate asset and an ideal culture piece to build around.

Arizona

• Fr

• 6’8″

/ 235 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Portland

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

13.8

RPG

5.3

APG

2.7

3P%

31.6%

The other half of Arizona’s dynamic freshman duo, Peat is a powerful four-man who can play out of short rolls, get downhill, and is another culture builder. Peat’s shooting is his major swing skill, but with Donovan Clingan now stretching the floor offensively, this could provide a good fit and long-term replacement for Jerami Grant.

Kentucky

• Soph

• 6’10”

Advertisement

/ 255 lbs

PPG

5

RPG

5

APG

0.5

3P%

0

Quaintance may be the best defensive prospect in this class and on an OKC championship program built on a dominant defense, this seems like a good fit. It also provides the Thunder with a future running mate for Chet Holmgren up front if it turns out they can’t retain Isaiah Hartenstein when he becomes a free agent.

Advertisement
player headshot
Advertisement


Karim Lopez


SF

Advertisement

Mexico

• 6’8″

/ 224 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Charlotte

Advertisement
PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Lopez is a big and versatile forward who has been trending up this year in the NBL. With both Miles Bridges and Grant Williams going into contract years next season, he could provide a replacement to fit nicely alongside Kon Knueppel, LaMelo Ball, and Brandon Miller.

Washington

• Fr

• 6’11”

/ 229 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

San Antonio

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

18.6

RPG

11.6

APG

1.5

3P%

35.6%

The Spurs still don’t have a clear-cut long-term running mate for Victor Wembanyama in the frontcourt. Steinbach would fit the bill providing inside-out skill, good instincts as a roller, untapped shooting potential, and enough size to play either alongside or behind Wemby.

Michigan

• Sr

• 6’9″

Advertisement

/ 235 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

Golden St.

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

14.7

RPG

7.2

APG

3.2

3P%

34.3%

Lendeborg may be old by draft standards, but he’s an extremely versatile two-way piece who plays and defends multiple positions. The shooting is the long-term swing skill, but the passing would allow him to fit in Steve Kerr’s system.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Florida

• Jr

Advertisement

• 6’9″

/ 215 lbs

Advertisement
PPG

17.2

RPG

6.1

APG

2

3P%

34.6%

Haugh is a versatile big wing who can play multiple positions, provide the type of grit that OKC values, hold his own in OKC’s defensive culture, and already has an understanding of how to play a role in service of winning.

Alabama

• Fr

• 6’3″

/ 175 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Miami

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

21.5

RPG

3.2

APG

4.8

3P%

38.9%

Philon’s sophomore jump has made him both a shot-creator and shot-maker. In Miami, he may rediscover the defense he was known for as a freshman. With plenty of decisions looming for the Heat on the perimeter, he and Kasparas Jakucionis could be two compatible long-term pieces.

Michigan

• Soph

• 6’9″

Advertisement

/ 250 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

Memphis

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

10th

PPG

13.7

RPG

7.4

APG

1.1

3P%

41.7%

Johnson continues to gain momentum among NBA decision-makers with his size, physicality, and increasing two-way versatility. In Memphis, he could play either alongside or behind Zach Edey, in a comparable way to how he’s paired with Aday Mara this year at Michigan.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Iowa

• Sr

Advertisement

• 6’4″

/ 190 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Toronto

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

20.2

RPG

2.5

APG

4.4

3P%

38.2%

The Raptors have made significant strides this year but still don’t have elite guard depth and may look to move off Immanuel Quickley’s deal in the off-season. Stirtz provides skill, real shot-making, an understanding of how to move without the ball, and a terrific mind for the game.

Advertisement

Texas Tech

Advertisement

• Soph

• 6’3″

/ 178 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Charlotte

Advertisement
PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

8th

PPG

19.2

RPG

3.7

APG

7.8

3P%

42.7%

The Hornets are committed to letting this core grow together, but it wasn’t that long ago it seemed Ball’s future in Charlotte was limited. If that ever resurfaces, Anderson provides a contingency. He’s highly skilled and equally cerebral with the ball in his hands.

Duke

• Soph

• 6’11”

/ 250 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Denver

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

28th

POSITION RNK

4th

PPG

10.7

RPG

6

APG

1.9

3P%

27.6%

Having a true back-up center behind Nikola Jokic has been important this year for Denver. But Jonas Valanciunas will be a free-agent following the 2026-27 season and so Ngongba could ultimately slide into that spot. He’s a defensive presence with good size, massive length, and budding inside-out offense.

Houston

• Fr

• 6’11”

Advertisement

/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

6th

PPG

9.4

RPG

7.4

APG

0.8

3P%

32.1%

Cenac slides a bit in this latest mock draft in correlation with declining impact at Houston, but there’s still plenty of long-term upside at nearly 7-feet with massive measurables, great mobility, correlating defensive versatility, solid athleticism, and some shooting potential.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Arizona

• Jr

Advertisement

• 7’2″

/ 260 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

L.A. Lakers

PROSPECT RNK

30th

POSITION RNK

5th

PPG

10.8

RPG

8.2

APG

1

3P%

36.4%

The Lakers could use a defensive minded center in the worst way and Krivas may be the best in college basketball this season. He has tremendous size, even by NBA standards, is a drop coverage monster, and understands how to play his role offensively.

Advertisement

North Carolina

Advertisement

• Jr

• 7’0″

/ 225 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Philadelphia

Advertisement
PROSPECT RNK

26th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

16.3

RPG

8.4

APG

2

3P%

41.5%

A very skilled 7-footer, Veesaar is very gifted offensively. He can stretch the floor, play out of dribble hand-off action, put it on the floor, pass, and even finish with sneaky force. In Philadelphia, he’ll provide some much-needed depth behind Joel Embiid.

Connecticut

• Fr

• 6’6″

/ 196 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Detroit

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

24th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

12

RPG

3.4

APG

1.3

3P%

36.4%

Mullins is an elite 3-point shooter who can space the floor around Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren and provide balance along defensive-minded young wings like Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland. He’s also a good enough defender in his own rite to hold up in Detroit’s culture.

Kansas

• Soph

• 6’10”

Advertisement

/ 235 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

New York

PROSPECT RNK

27th

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

13.8

RPG

9

APG

1.6

3P%

0%

Bidunga is a big-time athlete, major lob threat, very mobile, and consequently one of the most versatile frontcourt defenders in the country. With Mitchell Robinson entering free agency following the year, he could step right into that role.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Alabama

• Fr

Advertisement

• 6’8″

/ 205 lbs

Advertisement

Allen is a big wing with defensive versatility, the shooting range to space the floor, and the acumen to move the ball, all things that are valued in Boston’s system under Joe Mazzulla.

Baylor

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 190 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Minnesota

Advertisement

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

2nd

PPG

19.2

RPG

5.5

APG

2.7

3P%

39.4%

Carr may need some time to fill-out his frame, but he’s a late-bloomer with a rare overlap of massive length, leaping ability, shooting, and scoring prowess. Coming off a breakout year at Baylor, he could be just scratching the surface.

Michigan

• Jr

• 7’3″

Advertisement

/ 255 lbs

Projected Team

Advertisement

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

34th

POSITION RNK

7th

PPG

11.3

RPG

6.9

APG

2.4

3P%

28.6%

Mara is a giant even by NBA standards. His defensive impact is undeniable, but he’s also clever around the rim offensively, as a screener, and passer. His presence would also provide some insurance if the Cavs ever elect to split up Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Duke

• Soph

Advertisement

• 6’6″

/ 180 lbs

Advertisement
Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

3rd

PPG

14.5

RPG

2.8

APG

1.3

3P%

36.7%

Evans is one of the best shooters in the draft, already drilling NBA caliber shots, and gradually diversifying his offensive game. The fact that he’s a former teammate of Cooper Flagg’s probably doesn’t hurt either.

Advertisement

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Sports

Even Valve can’t find RAM right now, but 3 huge hardware drops are still set for 2026

Published

on

The memory shortage crisis continues to fuel nightmares for hardcore PC builders, but even the biggest players like Valve are feeling the squeeze. In a recent talk at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) 2026, Valve revealed that the company is actively “in the market” for RAM supply as it plans for the triple hardware launch this year.

After sharing the current statistics on the state of Steam at the conference and talking about the Daily Deals program, Valve admitted to the challenges of building new hardware equipment. Reportedly, the company representatives even joked that there would be no new hardware announcements unless they get more RAM.

“If you have a line on a bunch of RAM, we are in the market and would like to buy it.”

Advertisement

Valve’s 3 new gaming hardware still set for a 2026 release

Despite the limited availability of RAM and the growing prices of components, Valve is showing no signs of slowing down. While the launch of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller has been delayed from the original ‘early 2026’ to now, just ‘2026’ the company hinted that its hardware launches are still on track.

The casual joke about the lack of RAM is worrisome for consumers who are excited to get their hands on the new equipment. Moreover, the hunt for RAM from the consumer market just underscores how serious Valve is about expanding its hardware lineup.

For now, there hasn’t been any official word on when we can get hold of the first-party hardware by Valve, and we have yet to see how competitive the component market can become behind the scenes.


Read more gaming tech-related articles:

Advertisement