Group B of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicked off on Monday with Tanzania surprising many by beating South Africa 2-1. Côte d’Ivoire also made a statement with a strong 4-1 win over Burkina Faso, marking their return to the tournament after 12 years away.
These results have put Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire level on three points after the first matches, setting the stage for an exciting fight for the quarter-final spots.
Tanzania stuns South Africa
Tanzania showed great discipline and spirit in their match against South Africa at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. This was the second straight WAFCON tournament where these two teams were in the same group. In their previous meetings at the finals, South Africa won once and the other ended in a draw. Tanzania was eager to change that.
From the start, Tanzania looked determined. They created their first real chance in the 13th minute when captain Opa Tukumbuke almost scored from a loose ball in the penalty area. South African goalkeeper Andile Dlamini made a great save to keep the score level.
Just two minutes later, South Africa faced another scare when Lebohang Ramalepe’s back header nearly resulted in an own goal. Dlamini managed to recover just in time.
As the match continued, South Africa started to find their rhythm. Thembi Kgatlana set up Hildah Magaia in the 17th minute, but the shot went just over the bar. Karabo Dhlamini also came close with a powerful long-range shot that hit the woodwork.
Despite South Africa's pressure, Tanzania scored first in the 37th minute. Diana Msewa skillfully passed Bongeka Gamede and slotted the ball past Dlamini at the near post, giving Tanzania a deserved lead.
Kgatlana nearly equalized deep in first-half stoppage time but was denied by a brilliant close-range save from goalkeeper Najiati Idrisa. South Africa finally got their goal when Bambanani Mbane headed home a rebound after Idrisa saved a shot, making it 1-1 at halftime.
After the break, South Africa almost took the lead immediately when Refiloe Jane went close. But Tanzania stood firm. With four minutes left, substitute Hasnath Ubamba scored the winning goal, turning past her defender and firing a low shot past Dlamini. This victory was a historic moment for Tanzania.
Now Tanzania has three points ahead of their next match against Burkina Faso. South Africa needs to regroup quickly for their upcoming game against Côte d’Ivoire, which is now very important for them.
Côte d’Ivoire returns with a bang
Later that day, Côte d’Ivoire marked their return to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 4-1 win against Burkina Faso. The Lady Elephants dominated from the start, showing their strength in the first half and managing the game well in the second half.
Rebecca Elloh opened the scoring with a penalty kick early in the match. Ines Konan then scored two goals in the first half. Rosemonde Kouassi and Nsira Ouedraogo provided assists as the Ivorians took control.
Burkina Faso briefly threatened a comeback in the second half when Adama Congo scored after a setup from Balkissa Sawadogo. But any hopes of a comeback ended when Ouedraogo scored Côte d’Ivoire’s fourth goal, capping off a strong performance.
This win gave Côte d’Ivoire a perfect start to Group B after Tanzania’s earlier surprise against South Africa.
Lady Elephants show their strength
In their first WAFCON finals since 2014, Côte d’Ivoire made their intentions clear right away. Elloh converted from the penalty spot in the seventh minute, giving them an early lead.
This goal helped Côte d’Ivoire settle down, allowing them to control the game. They doubled their lead just seven minutes later when Konan finished well after a great pass from Kouassi.
Konan added her second goal in the 23rd minute with a setup from Ouedraogo. By halftime, Côte d’Ivoire had a commanding 3-0 lead, showcasing their pace and accuracy.
Burkina Faso fights back but falls short
Burkina Faso, in just their second appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, came back from the break with renewed energy. They scored quickly in the second half when Adama Congo found the net thanks to a great pass from Balkissa Sawadogo.
This goal lifted Burkina Faso’s spirits, reflecting their coach Issa Balbone’s confidence in their abilities. But Côte d’Ivoire quickly took charge again, and Ouedraogo scored the fourth goal in the 56th minute, ending Burkina Faso’s hopes of a comeback.
Coach Pedros aims high
The win was the perfect start for Côte d’Ivoire’s coach Reynald Pedros, who wanted his team to leave Morocco with no regrets. His players showed maturity and physical strength after arriving early in Morocco to prepare.
The mix of young talent and experienced players paid off. Elloh provided leadership, Konan scored twice, and Ouedraogo had a goal and an assist. Captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan had said before the match how emotional it was to hear the national anthem at WAFCON again, and the Lady Elephants delivered a performance worthy of that moment.
Despite their heavy loss, Burkina Faso showed fight, giving them hope for their upcoming matches.
Group B is wide open
Monday’s results have changed the landscape of Group B. With Tanzania beating South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire’s strong showing, the competition is already fierce at WAFCON 2026.
Tanzania and Côte d’Ivoire now lead the group with three points each. South Africa and Burkina Faso will face pressure in their next matches. Only the top two teams will automatically qualify for the quarter-finals, making every point crucial in this competitive race.
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