Côte d’Ivoire made a powerful return to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group B opener at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Monday night. The Lady Elephants, playing at the continental finals for the first time in 12 years, produced a dominant first-half display to take control of the West African derby before seeing out the win after the break. Rebecca Elloh opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Ines Konan struck twice, with Rosemonde Kouassi and Nsira Ouedraogo providing the assists.
Burkina Faso briefly threatened a response early in the second half through Adama Congo, who finished after being set up by Balkissa Sawadogo, but Côte d’Ivoire restored their three-goal cushion through Ouedraogo to seal an impressive opening win. The result gives Reynald Pedros’ side the perfect start in Group B after Tanzania had earlier stunned defending champions South Africa with a 2-1 victory. Lady Elephants strike early Côte d’Ivoire entered the match with high expectations after a long absence from the TotalEnergies WAFCON stage, and they quickly showed their intent.
Elloh, one of the few players in the squad with previous WAFCON experience, gave the Ivorians the lead in the seventh minute from the penalty spot. The early goal settled Côte d’Ivoire and allowed them to impose their rhythm on the game. They doubled their advantage in the 14th minute when Konan finished after good work from Kouassi, giving Burkina Faso a difficult mountain to climb.
Konan struck again in the 23rd minute, this time from an Ouedraogo assist, as Côte d’Ivoire raced into a 3-0 half-time lead. It was a clinical first-half performance from the Lady Elephants, who combined pace, sharp movement and direct attacking play to punish their neighbours. Burkina Faso respond after break Burkina Faso, appearing in only their second TotalEnergies WAFCON tournament, needed a strong reaction after the interval.
They found one almost immediately, with Congo reducing the deficit in the 46th minute after being assisted by Sawadogo. The goal gave the Lady Stallions brief hope and reflected the confidence head coach Issa Balbone had spoken about before the match. Burkina Faso had arrived determined to move beyond the underdog label and show they could compete with higher-ranked opposition.
But Côte d’Ivoire quickly regained cont…
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