A thrilling West African derby is set for Monday night as Côte d’Ivoire take on Burkina Faso in Group B of the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026.
The match kicks off at 21h00 local time at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco.
Beyond the three points on offer, both nations understand the pride at stake for their fans back home in a clash built on deep cultural and sporting rivalry.
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THE LADY ELEPHANTS RETURN TO THE BIG STAGE
Côte d’Ivoire are returning to WAFCON for the first time in 12 years. Head coach Reynald Pedros, who previously led hosts Morocco to the 2022 WAFCON final, brings valuable experience to a youthful squad. Only three Ivorian players- Ange Koko N’guessan, Mariam Diakite and Rebecca Elloh- have played at a WAFCON before.
Despite their long absence, confidence is high. Fresh off winning a double with Bayern Munich, Ivorian captain Bernadette Amani Kakouna expressed her excitement, stating that playing for her country at this level is a dream come true.
Coach Pedros has set ambitious targets for his team: finish top of Group B, reach the semi-finals and secure automatic qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil.
BURKINA FASO DRIVEN BY BIG DREAMS
Burkina Faso are making just their second WAFCON appearance after their debut performance in 2022. Though ranked 118th in the world- well below Côte d’Ivoire at 72nd- head coach Issa Balbone is refusing the underdog label.
Coach Balbone openly declared his bold dream of winning the WAFCON trophy on August 16. Midfielder Charlotte Millogo added that the squad is deeply inspired by Burkina Faso’s U15 girls’ team, who reached the final of the CAF African Football Schools Championship earlier this year.
KEY TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Burkina Faso: The Lady Stallions have played three WAFCON matches in their history (two losses and one draw) and are still searching for their first clean sheet at the tournament.
Côte d’Ivoire: The Lady Elephants qualified for the expanded 16-team tournament as one of Africa’s top-ranked teams after a tight qualification process against Senegal.
With World Cup qualification places on the line and regional bragging rights at stake, both teams are determined to launch their WAFCON 2026 campaigns with a victory.
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