Gabon produced a sensational performance in the first round of qualifiers for the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament, Tokyo 2020, completing a remarkable comeback against Congo. After losing the first leg 0-2, the Gabonese team, known as the Panthers, displayed resilience and determination in the return leg played on Tuesday. The match ended in a dramatic penalty shootout, with Gabon emerging victorious 5-3 to secure their place in the next round. This stunning turnaround highlighted the Panthers’ fighting spirit and their potential to challenge stronger teams in the tournament.
Elsewhere in the qualifiers, Malawi’s Flames continued their dominant form, showing no mercy to Mozambique. Following an overwhelming 11-1 victory in the first leg, Malawi secured another comfortable 3-0 win in the second leg, cementing their progression to the next stage of the competition. The Flames’ performance demonstrates their attacking prowess and the growing strength of women’s football in southern Africa.
Algeria also advanced to the next round despite a 1-1 draw in Chad. With a convincing 2-0 win in the first leg, the Desert Queens maintained their aggregate advantage to confirm their qualification. Similarly, Mali managed to progress past Morocco thanks to their superior first-leg result, turning a 2-2 draw in the second leg into a ticket to the next stage. These matches underline the competitive nature of the African qualifiers, where aggregate results and away performances play a crucial role in determining which teams advance.
In other results, DR Congo edged past Tanzania in a narrow 1-0 victory in the second leg, although the first leg ended 2-2. Meanwhile, Namibia and Botswana drew 2-2 in their second leg, but Botswana’s 1-0 win in the first leg was enough to ensure their progression. Notably, Zambia and Ivory Coast advanced automatically due to the withdrawals of Angola and Sierra Leone, highlighting the occasional logistical challenges that African qualifiers can present.
The full list of results from the first round, including first-leg scores, is as follows:
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Morocco 2–2 Mali (1–3 first leg)
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Chad 1–1 Algeria (0–2 first leg)
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Uganda 0–1 Ethiopia (2–3 first leg)
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DR Congo 1–0 Tanzania (2–2 first leg)
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Congo 0–2 Gabon (2–0 first leg; Gabon won 5–3 on penalties)
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Mozambique 0–3 Malawi (1–11 first leg)
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Namibia 2–2 Botswana (0–1 first leg)
Gabon’s comeback, Malawi’s dominance, and the successful qualifications of Algeria, Mali, and other teams demonstrate the depth and growing competitiveness of women’s football in Africa. As the tournament progresses, these teams will look to build on their strong performances and continue their campaigns with the aim of securing a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The qualifiers not only showcase individual talent but also emphasize teamwork, resilience, and the increasing prominence of women’s football across the continent.
