The Ivory Coast Under-20 Women’s football team, also known as the Junior Elephants, suffered a significant defeat (4-0) against Equatorial Guinea’s Nzalang Nacional on Friday at the Robert Champroux stadium in Marcory. This match marked the first leg of the qualifiers for the Women’s Football World Cup in the under-20 category, scheduled to take place in Canada in 2014.
Emotions ran high during the post-match press conference, where Junior Elephants’ coach Clémentine Touré couldn’t hold back her tears. She expressed her disappointment, stating, “We hoped to win this match which we prepared until the last minute. But with a squad reduced to 13 players, it was difficult against a good team from Equatorial Guinea. Taking a 0-4 defeat at home is very heavy. Personally, it’s a humiliation because I could have done better than that, and I’m hurt.”
After composing herself, Touré continued, “I would have liked to lose differently, but the result is there, and I take full responsibility for this defeat. I apologize to the Ivorian people.” She promised that in the return match, the team would fight to display a different and more dignified performance.
It’s worth noting that the Africa zone has two spots for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014. The previous edition in Japan in 2012 saw the United States emerge as champions, while Nigeria finished in fourth place.
