Head coach of the Ivory Coast U20 team, Matthieu Esposito, has set sights on upsetting Congo in the decisive second leg of the third round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2026.
Ivory Coast head into the encounter with a comfortable cushion after claiming a 2–0 victory in the first leg in Abidjan. However, with the return fixture scheduled for Saturday, February 14, at the Kibassa Maliba Stadium, the Ivorian camp remains fully focused on finishing the job.
Speaking to the press on Friday, head coach Matthieu Esposito warned against any sense of complacency despite the advantage. The tactician insisted his players must approach the match with the same intensity shown in the first leg to secure qualification.
“We are here to win,” Esposito said. “That is the best way to avoid any unpleasant surprises. We must be strong and decisive on Congolese soil to confirm our place in the final round.”
The second leg of the third round will kick off at 1:00 pm GMT on Saturday in Lubumbashi. With their two-goal lead, a win or even a draw will be enough for the Ivory Coast U20 women to book their spot in the final phase of the African qualifiers and move one step closer to the 2026 World Cup in Poland.
