Clinical Ivory Coast seal WAFCON preparations with narrow win over Kenya

Ivory Coast women’s national football team wrapped up their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Kenya women’s national football team in a friendly match on Wednesday at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpe.

The result ensured the Elephants finished top of a preparatory mini-tournament that also featured Benin and Kenya.

Wednesday’s encounter marked the conclusion of the competition, with Ivory Coast securing their second successive win.

The decisive moment came in the 22nd minute when Rebecca Amon Ello found the net, scoring the only goal of the match.

Her strike proved enough to separate the sides in a contest that formed part of both teams’ build-up to the continental tournament in Morocco in 2026.

Ivory Coast had opened their campaign in the mini-tournament with a 2-0 victory against Benin’s Amazones, maintaining a perfect record across their two fixtures.

Kenya, by contrast, ended the event without a point, having also suffered a 2-0 defeat to Benin earlier in the competition.

For the Elephants, the training camp offered an opportunity to fine-tune preparations ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The controlled setting of the mini-tournament allowed the coaching staff to assess performance levels and cohesion within the squad.

Kenya used the matches to sharpen their readiness for the same continental challenge, while Benin — not qualified for the 2026 finals — participated in order to test themselves against higher-level opposition and gain valuable experience.

With two wins from two and no goals conceded, Ivory Coast conclude their preparations on a positive note, carrying momentum forward as attention gradually turns towards Morocco 2026.