Author: Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali boost WAFCON qualification chances with win over Cape Verde
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Mali boost WAFCON qualification chances with win over Cape Verde

Mali improved their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 3-2 win over Cape Verde at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday night.

Oumou Kone scored first for Mali, but Eve Pereira equalised for Cape Verde. Fatoumata Niakate restored Mali’s lead early in the second half, and Fatoumata Diarra scored again in the 79th minute. Cape Verde fought back with a goal from Alivia Kelly in the 88th minute, but Mali held on for the win.

With this result, Mali is now level with Ghana on three points, while Cameroon leads Group D with six points. Cape Verde remains at the bottom without any points, but their effort showed determination.

Both teams faced pressure after losing their opening matches. Mali lost to Cameroon, while Cape Verde fell to Ghana. This match was crucial, especially since Cape Verde had beaten Mali in the qualifiers.

In the 29th minute, Aissata Traore set up Kone for Mali’s first goal. Pereira’s equaliser for Cape Verde was significant as it marked their first-ever goal at the TotalEnergies WAFCON finals.

Mali took the lead again in the 50th minute with Niakate’s goal, thanks to another assist from Traore. Diarra’s third goal in the 79th minute seemed to seal the win, but Cape Verde’s late goal kept the match tense.

The victory keeps Mali in contention for the quarter-finals, while Cape Verde showed promise despite the loss.

Sunday's TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations results
Sunday's TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations results
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay nets in Kosice six-goal thriller

Sierra Leone defender Osman Kakay has started his season with FC Kosice, scoring in a thrilling 3:3 draw against Trenčín. The match took place at the Košická futbalová aréna on Saturday.

FC Kosice led 2:0 at halftime, but Trenčín came back to take a 3:2 lead. Kóša scored late to help secure the draw.

Coach Peter Černák made one change to the starting lineup, bringing in Aleksa Maraś instead of Milan Rehuš. Before the match, we honored captain Dominik Kružliak for reaching 300 league starts.

The game began quickly with Lichý’s shot leading to a canceled penalty after VAR review. In the 15th minute, Lichý assisted Čerepkai for our first goal. Kakay made it 2:0 with an own goal from Trenčín in the 22nd minute and scored again in the 35th minute.

Trenčín scored in the 48th minute with a header from Paur, and in the 55th minute, they tied it at 2:2 with a goal from Poom. They took the lead 3:2 with a penalty from Soares in the 82nd minute. Sovič quickly equalized, and then in the 90th minute, Kóša scored to make it 3:3. In added time, Mateáš missed a chance to win the game.

Kakay’s Kosice next match is against Dunajská Streda on August 15 at 6:00 p.m. in Skalica, followed by a home game on August 22 at 8:30 p.m. against Slovan Bratislava.

by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Burkina Faso Edge Tanzania for WAFCON Victory

Burkina Faso celebrated their first-ever win at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, beating 10-player Tanzania 2-1 in a tense Group B match in Casablanca on Friday night.

Adele Kabre gave Burkina Faso the lead before half-time. In the second half, Tanzania equalized with a goal from Aisha Mnunka, despite being down to 10 players after Hasnath Ubamba received a red card.

Woman of the Match player, Bilkissa Sawadogo then scored the winning goal for Burkina Faso in the 80th minute, keeping their hopes alive for the quarter-finals.

This result opens up Group B. Côte d’Ivoire leads with four points, followed by Tanzania and Burkina Faso with three points each, and South Africa at the bottom with one point.

Burkina Faso faced pressure after losing their first game 4-1 to Côte d’Ivoire and needed a win against a strong Tanzania side. They played aggressively and took the lead with Kabre’s goal in the 43rd minute.

The match changed early in the second half when Tanzania lost a player. Ubamba was sent off in the 55th minute, but Mnunka’s equalizer in the 62nd minute showed their determination.

Burkina Faso responded with Sawadogo’s goal in the 80th minute and managed to hold their lead this time. Coach Issa Balbone saw this win as a crucial boost after their earlier defeat.

Now, both Burkina Faso and Tanzania have renewed hope for their final group match, while Côte d’Ivoire remains ahead. For Burkina Faso, this historic win keeps their tournament dreams alive, and for Tanzania, their chances for the quarter-finals are still intact.

Côte d’Ivoire brush aside Burkina Faso in Group opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Côte d’Ivoire brush aside Burkina Faso in Group opener

Côte d’Ivoire came back strong in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, beating Burkina Faso 4-1 in their opening Group B game on Monday night.

This is the Lady Elephants’ first time in the tournament in 12 years. They were clearly the better team in the first half and managed the game well overall.

Rebecca Elloh scored first with a penalty. Ines Konan got two goals, with assists from Rosemonde Kouassi and Nsira Ouedraogo.

Burkina Faso managed to pull one back through Adama Congo early in the second half, but Côte d’Ivoire quickly regained their lead when Ouedraogo scored again.

It was a great start for coach Reynald Pedros, who had asked the team to play their hearts out in Morocco. The players showed they were well-prepared and confident, blending experienced players with younger talent.

Captain Bernadette Amani Kakounan was happy to be back at WAFCON, and the Lady Elephants proved it with a determined performance.

This win is a good start for Côte d’Ivoire, especially following Tanzania’s surprise win against South Africa. They’ve put themselves in a good position to reach the quarter-finals, as the top two teams from each group move on.

News WAFCON Match Day Two Results
News WAFCON Match Day Two Results
Resilient Tanzania edge South Africa in tight Group B opener
by Alie Bittar @bittar32

Tanzania edge South Africa in tight Group B WAFCON opener

Tanzania kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 qualifying matches with a 2-1 win against South Africa in Casablanca.

This was the second match in Group B and the third overall at the TotalEnergies CAF WAFCON finals. South Africa had won the first game, and the second ended in a draw, so Tanzania was really looking for a win here.

Tanzania had some good chances early on. Opa Tukumbuke nearly scored in the 13th minute, but the South African goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, saved her shot.

Two minutes later, Lebohang Ramalepe had another great chance for Tanzania with a header that almost went in as an own goal, but Dlamini managed to get a hand to it. For South Africa, Hildah Magaia missed a good opportunity to score, shooting high over the crossbar.

The first goal came in the 37th minute from Tanzania’s Diana Msewa, named Woman of the Match. Kgatlana almost equalised just before halftime, but her shot was saved. Then, Bambanani Mbane pulled South Africa level right before the halftime whistle.

South Africa had a chance to take the lead at the start of the second half. However, Tanzania secured the win in the 86th minute when substitute Hasnath Ubamba fired home. 

This result gives Tanzania three important points in Group B ahead of their next match against Burkina Faso, while South Africa will regroup before facing Cote d’Ivoire.