​Nigeria’s Esther Okoronkwo, South Africa’s Refiloe Jane and Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak are among the experienced players eyeing Wafcon glory [Caf/Getty Images]The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) kicks off on Sunday, with Nigeria defending their title.Morocco is hosting for the third time in a row, with the Atlas Lionesses aiming to lift the trophy for the first time after losing back-to-back finals on home soil.This year’s tournament has added importance because qualification for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup is on the line, with the four semi-finalists securing a ticket to Brazil.BBC Sport Africa picks out seven players to watch.Esther Okoronkwo (Nigeria)The AFC Toronto forward was the inspiration behind her country’s run to a record-extending 10th title last year with two goals and six assists.Seizing her moment as a starter from the quarter-finals onwards, Okoronkwo combined creativity with some unerring finishing.With the Super Falcons trailing 2-0 against the hosts in the final, it was the 29-year-old’s composed penalty which sparked the comeback.Okoronkwo then set up Folashade Ijamilusi’s equaliser and Jennifier Echegini’s late winner to complete a remarkable turnaround.Despite her impact, Okoronkwo was surprisingly overlooked at the Confederation of African Football awards last year, meaning she may have extra motivation to show what she can do on the big stage.Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi)Tabitha Chawinga scored 11 goals as Lyon reclaimed their domestic league title, but the French side were beaten in the final of the Women’s Champions League [Getty Images]Malawi are one of two Wafcon debutants and the Lyon forward is the main goal threat for the lowest-ranked nation at the finals, having helped fire her club side to a fifth consecutive league title in France last season.In 2023, while at Paris St-Germain, she became the first Malawian woman to play and score in the Uefa Champions League.The 30-year-old is expected to line up in attack alongside younger sister Temwa as the scorchers face a tough group containing Nigeria, Zambia and Egypt.”I was waiting to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations [for] a long time,” she said.”I’ve been playing big games in Europe, but I like to tell the girls ‘don’t be shy, don’t be scared’.”We can’t wait to start and see what we can do.”Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco)Last November Ghizlane Chebbak became the first Moroccan to be named Africa’s best female footballer [Getty Images]Is this the final chance for the Atlas Lionesses captain to lift the trophy?The 35-year-old opened the scoring against Nigeria in last year’s final but Morocco were ultimately forced to settle for silver medals again.Chebbak did pick up the golden boot, netting five times, having been joint top scorer in 2022 when South Africa thwarted Morocco in the final.And the Al-Hilal forward, who was named African player of the year in November, is also bidding for another unique piece of history.Her father Larbi helped Morocco to the men