Ivory Coast’s U20 women’s national team will kick off their 2026 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday against Gambia, with a place in the next round firmly in their sights.
Having arrived in Gambia midweek, the Elephants have settled in and completed their final preparations at the Independence Stadium in Bakau, where Friday’s first-leg encounter is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. local time.
The match marks the first hurdle in a two-legged tie, with the return fixture set for next week at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpé.
Coach Dao Lassina’s side comes into the contest in high spirits, buoyed by a productive training camp and a convincing 4-1 friendly victory over Stella Club d’Adjamé.
That match saw goals from Yasmine Timité, Grace N’Dri, and Abbe Bah Naomie, along with an own goal, showcasing the team’s attacking capabilities and readiness for competitive action.
“The mood in camp is focused and optimistic,” team officials noted, as players engaged in a final tactical session under the guidance of the technical staff. With composure and discipline being the watchwords, Ivory Coast will aim to seize the advantage away from home in order to return to Abidjan with momentum on their side.
Their opponents, Gambia, have opted for a younger, restructured team but are not short on ambition.
The Scorpions have been strengthened by the return of influential captain Veronica Sambou and forward Sally Jatta, who plays for Mogbwemo Queens FC in Sierra Leone.
The pair bring vital experience and could prove pivotal in a match that is expected to draw a significant local crowd.
In a move to bolster support, the Gambian Football Federation has waived entry fees for the fixture, a gesture likely to fill the stands and add an extra layer of intensity to the encounter.
Both teams are aware that any slip in concentration could prove costly in this tightly scheduled qualifier.
Ivory Coast, however, are determined to lay down a marker and take control of the tie before returning home for the decisive second leg.
With places in the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup at stake, the road to global competition begins in earnest for the Elephants, who are aiming to assert their credentials from the opening whistle in Bakau.
