Côte d’Ivoire made a resounding return to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, securing a remarkable 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group B opener held at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Monday night. This match marked the Lady Elephants' first appearance at the continental finals in 12 years, and they wasted no time demonstrating their prowess on the pitch. The team delivered a commanding performance in the first half, establishing dominance in this West African derby, and they maintained their lead into the second half to clinch a convincing victory.
Rebecca Elloh initiated the scoring early on with a penalty goal, setting the tone for the match. Following Elloh's lead, Ines Konan showcased her skills by netting two goals, supported by assists from Rosemonde Kouassi and Nsira Ouedraogo. Although Burkina Faso sought to respond with a goal from Adama Congo early in the second half, Côte d’Ivoire swiftly reasserted their dominance with a fourth goal from Ouedraogo, sealing a remarkable opening win for the Lady Elephants.
This victory places Reynald Pedros’ squad in an excellent position within Group B, especially after Tanzania's earlier surprise triumph over the defending champions, South Africa, with a score of 2-1. The match began with Côte d’Ivoire entering with high hopes after a long hiatus from the TotalEnergies WAFCON stage, quickly demonstrating their intentions on the field. Elloh, one of the few players with prior WAFCON experience, put the Ivorians ahead in the seventh minute from the penalty spot. This early goal settled the nerves of the team and allowed them to dictate the rhythm of the match.
The Lady Elephants doubled their lead in the 14th minute when Konan finished a well-executed play initiated by Kouassi, presenting Burkina Faso with a challenging uphill battle. Konan struck again in the 23rd minute, this time thanks to an assist from Ouedraogo, propelling Côte d’Ivoire to a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time. The first half was marked by a clinical performance from the Lady Elephants, characterized by their speed, sharp movement, and direct attacking approach, which effectively punished their opponents.
As the second half commenced, Burkina Faso, participating in only their second TotalEnergies WAFCON tournament, sought to mount a strong response. They found their footing almost immediately, with Congo scoring in the 46th minute after receiving an assist from Sawadogo. This goal provided a glimmer of hope for the Lady Stallions and reflected the confidence that head coach Issa Balbone had emphasized prior to the match. Burkina Faso entered the game determined to shed their underdog label and demonstrate their ability to compete against higher-ranked teams. However, Côte d’Ivoire quickly regained control of the match.
In the 56th minute, Ouedraogo scored Côte d’Ivoire’s fourth goal, extinguishing any serious hopes of a Burkina Faso comeback and showcasing a well-rounded performance from the team. The victory is sure to please Pedros, who stated before the tournament that Côte d’Ivoire aimed to give their all and leave Morocco with no regrets. His team appeared well-prepared, confident, and physically ready, having arrived early in Morocco for a training camp. The blend of experienced players and youthful energy was evident, with Elloh providing leadership, Konan contributing goals, and Ouedraogo making significant contributions with both a goal and an assist.
Captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan had previously spoken about the emotional experience of hearing the national anthem at WAFCON again, and the Lady Elephants translated that emotion into a purposeful performance. For Burkina Faso, the defeat is undoubtedly disappointing, yet their early goal in the second half exhibited their fighting spirit in a match that had threatened to slip away from them before half-time.
Côte d’Ivoire’s win carries extra significance in light of Tanzania’s unexpected victory over South Africa, as Group B has already taken an unpredictable turn. The Lady Elephants will recognize that a strong start could prove crucial in their quest for a spot in the quarter-finals, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage. By securing this important win, Côte d’Ivoire has positioned themselves favorably for the challenges ahead in the tournament.
As reported by cafonline.com.
