Cote d’Ivoire face Tanzania with quarter-final place within reach at Women’s AFCON 2026

Cote d’Ivoire need only avoid defeat against Tanzania on Tuesday evening to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The match is the Ivorians’ third and final Group-stage fixture, with the team coached by Reynald Pedros currently in a favourable position after taking four points from their opening two games. The meeting with Tanzania will be covered live, with commentary, by Afrik-Foot.

Cote d’Ivoire began their campaign with an impressive 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso. They then drew 2-2 with South Africa, who finished fourth at the previous edition of the competition.

That result against South Africa left the Ivorians with a clear route into the knockout phase. A draw against Tanzania would be enough to send Pedros and his players through to the last eight, while also preserving their unbeaten start to the tournament.

Qualification would represent another significant step for Cote d’Ivoire’s women’s team. The Elephantes would reach the knockout phase for a second consecutive edition, having ended a 12-year wait to return to that stage in 2014.

Tuesday’s fixture is the first time Cote d’Ivoire and Tanzania have met at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. However, the two sides are not unfamiliar with one another.

They faced each other in qualifying in September 2023. Cote d’Ivoire won the first leg 2-0, but Tanzania responded in the return match by claiming a victory by the same scoreline. The contrasting results from that previous encounter provide some background to a meeting in which both teams will be seeking a decisive outcome.

Pedros has opted for continuity in his starting line-up. The France coach has selected the same XI that began the 2-2 draw with South Africa, including Grace-Ruth Sery.

Sery played a decisive role in that fixture, scoring twice on 31 July. Her inclusion from the start gives Cote d’Ivoire an attacking player in confident form as they attempt to complete their group campaign with the result required to progress.

For the Ivorians, the equation is straightforward: a point will secure their advancement to the quarter-finals. Tanzania stand between them and a second successive appearance in the competition’s knockout rounds, while Cote d’Ivoire will look to build on their strong opening win over Burkina Faso and the hard-fought draw with South Africa.