Algeria draw Burkina Faso as Morocco face Nigeria in 2028 Olympic qualifying

Algeria will face Burkina Faso and Morocco have been drawn against Nigeria in the third round of African qualifying for the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Algeria, who finished third at the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, reached this stage after beating Central African Republic 15-0 on aggregate. Their next opponents, Burkina Faso, eliminated Equatorial Guinea 3-1 and 1-1.

Morocco advanced without playing after Congo forfeited their tie, but now face a demanding contest against Africa’s top-ranked side, Nigeria. The Atlas Lionesses lost 3-2 to Nigeria in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on 26 July 2025.

Cote d’Ivoire will meet reigning African champions Cameroon in what promises to be a meeting between two familiar regional rivals. The Ivorians progressed after overcoming DR Congo 1-7, while Cameroon were awarded their tie against Guinea after their opponents conceded by default.

Senegal have been paired with neighbouring Mali. Senegal secured their place in the third round by beating Tunisia 0-1 and 2-0. Mali recovered from a 3-1 first-leg defeat by defeating Benin 6-2 in the return match.

Elsewhere, Tanzania will play Ethiopia after the former eliminated Botswana and the latter knocked out Rwanda. South Africa have been drawn against Angola, who progressed at Namibia’s expense.

Malawi, surprise finalists at the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, will take on Kenya. Malawi’s squad includes the Chawinga sisters and their opponents produced the biggest aggregate victory of the second qualifying round, defeating Seychelles 22-0 across the two matches.

The reigning African runners-up advanced after beating Zimbabwe 2-0 and 0-7. Kenya’s result against Seychelles was the most emphatic scoreline recorded in the previous round.

The remaining tie will see Ghana take on Zambia. Ghana progressed against Mauritius, while Zambia moved through after overcoming Uganda.

The first legs of the third-round ties will be played on 23 February 2027, with the return matches scheduled for 6 March.