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WAFCON 2026: Key stats as Tanzania face Côte d’Ivoire in a decisive clash
04th August, 2026 07:17 PM
Everything will be on the line when Tanzania take on Côte d’Ivoire in their final Group B fixture at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Tuesday night, August 4, 2026, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
The decisive encounter kicks off at 9:00 pm local time (8:00 pm GMT), with both nations still in control of their qualification hopes heading into the last round of group matches.
A victory will guarantee either Tanzania or Côte d’Ivoire a place in the quarter-finals. Tanzania could even top the group if Burkina Faso fail to overcome South Africa, while Côte d’Ivoire only need a draw to secure progression. A stalemate would also be enough for Tanzania, provided Burkina Faso lose to South Africa.
This will be the first-ever WAFCON meeting between the two sides.
Tanzania aiming to make history
The Twiga Stars are chasing a landmark achievement as they seek to become only the second East African nation after Ethiopia in 2004 to progress beyond the WAFCON group stage, after Kenya’s Harambee Starlets bowed out of the tournament prematurely on Monday, August 3, 2026, owing to a 2-0 defeat to Algeria in Group A of the competitions.
Tanzania opened their campaign with an impressive 2-1 victory over South Africa before suffering a narrow 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in their second outing.
Despite the setback, Tanzania have found the net in each of their two matches, extending their scoring streak at the finals to four consecutive games dating back to the previous edition. They have also scored in both group matches for the first time in their WAFCON history.
However, defensive concerns remain. Tanzania have conceded in all eight of their matches at the tournament and have never won their final group game, previously losing 3-0 to Nigeria in 2010 and 4-1 to Ghana at the last edition.
Their record against West African opposition is also worrying, having lost all five previous WAFCON meetings against teams from the region.
Goalkeeper Najiati Abass Idrissa has been one of Tanzania’s standout performers, making 13 saves across the opening two matches, including five against Burkina Faso. She has stopped 81 per cent of the shots on target she has faced.
Midfielder Aisha Mnunka scored Tanzania’s only goal against Burkina Faso with her only effort on target, while Hasnath Ubamba will miss the decisive clash after becoming the first Tanzanian player to receive a red card at this year’s tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire chasing unbeaten group stage
Côte d’Ivoire have enjoyed their strongest-ever start to a WAFCON campaign after defeating Burkina Faso before sharing the spoils with South Africa.
The Ivorians have collected four points and require only a draw to reach the knockout rounds for the first time since 2014, when they eventually finished third.
They have already scored six goals in two matches, matching their best attacking return after two group games, achieved in 2012. One more goal would equal their highest-ever group-stage tally of seven goals.
Although their attack has flourished, Côte d’Ivoire have conceded in each of their last seven group-stage matches. Their only clean sheet in the competition came during a 5-0 victory over Ethiopia in 2012, which remains their only previous meeting against East African opposition.
Their 2-2 draw against South Africa saw them surrender a two-goal advantage for the first time in WAFCON history after previously winning every match in which they had established such a lead.
Grace Serri was the star of that contest, scoring twice from her only two shots on target, while Nsira Ouedraogo continued her impressive tournament by providing both assists.
Ouedraogo has now registered one goal and three assists, making her the most productive Ivorian player at the 2026 finals with four goal contributions.
Qualification race goes down to the wire
With quarter-final qualification still up for grabs, Tuesday’s clash promises to be one of the most significant matches in Group B.
Tanzania will be looking to overcome their poor record against West African opponents and create history by reaching the knockout stages for the first time.
Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, will aim to extend their unbeaten run, secure a place in the last eight, and continue what has already been one of their best WAFCON campaigns to date.
