2026 U20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers: Ivory Coast outclass Morocco

Ivory Coast took a commanding step towards the third preliminary round of the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Morocco in Abidjan on Sunday.

At the Stade Félix Houphouët Boigny, the Ivorians punished defensive lapses to seize control of the tie in dramatic fashion.

Safi Ouedraogo broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, and within a minute Nadège N’Guessan doubled the lead, leaving Morocco stunned and trailing 2-0 after just 31 minutes.

Morocco’s hopes of a comeback briefly reignited after the break when Hajar Belkbir struck in the 57th minute to reduce the deficit.

For a moment, the visitors appeared capable of forcing their way back into contention.

However, Ouedraogo struck again in the 66th minute, restoring Ivory Coast’s two-goal cushion and effectively sealing the first-leg victory.

The win places the Ivorians in a strong position ahead of the return leg, scheduled for next week at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.

Morocco will require a significant turnaround on home soil if they are to progress to the next round.

Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Ethiopia and Kenya played out a 1-1 draw.

Kenya struck almost immediately through Elisabeth Mideva in the first minute, but Ethiopia responded in the second half when Emush Daniel levelled in the 66th minute.

The tie remains finely poised heading into the second leg.

Tanzania, meanwhile, are all but assured of progression after a dominant 4-0 home win over Angola in Dar es Salaam.

Winfrida Gerald struck twice in the opening half (20th, 29th), while Hasnath Ubamba added a late brace (77th, 90+4) to complete a resounding victory.

فوز منتخب كوت ديفوار أمام منتخبنا الوطني النسوي لأقل من 20 سنة برسم ذهاب الدور الثاني من إقصائيات المنطقة الإفريقية المؤهلة لنهائيات كأس العالم

Victory of Cote d’Ivoire over our U20 Women’s National Team in the first leg of the second round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA… pic.twitter.com/bDHXbs5lDV

— Équipe du Maroc (@EnMaroc) September 21, 2025

Nigeria also earned a valuable result on the road, edging Rwanda 1-0 thanks to Alaba Olabiyi’s 70th-minute strike.

The win gives the Falconets a crucial advantage ahead of their home return fixture.

In the remaining fixtures, South Sudan will host Malawi in Juba on Tuesday, closing out the first-leg schedule.

The return matches begin on Monday when Namibia face Uganda, with several ties finely balanced and others already tilting heavily in favour of the hosts.

For Ivory Coast, however, the job is half done.

With Ouedraogo in inspired form and their attacking efficiency on full display, they travel to Rabat knowing only discipline and composure separate them from a place in the next round of the U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.