Ivory Coast made a dream return to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with an emphatic 4–1 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group B opener yesterday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco.
The Lady Elephants were in complete control for much of the contest, producing a clinical attacking display that puts them in a strong position early in the tournament.
Elloh Opens the Scoring
Ivory Coast wasted no time asserting themselves, taking the lead in the 7th minute when Rebecca Elloh calmly converted a penalty after Burkina Faso conceded an early spot-kick.
The goal settled the Ivorians, who continued to dominate possession and create chances.
Konan’s Quickfire Brace
The pressure continued, and Inès Konan doubled Ivory Coast’s advantage in the 14th minute after a well-worked attacking move.
Just nine minutes later, Konan struck again, completing her brace in the 23rd minute to give the Lady Elephants a commanding 3–0 lead before halftime.
Ouedraogo Extends the Lead
Despite both teams being reduced to ten players during the second half, Ivory Coast remained the stronger side.
N’Sira Ouedraogo added a fourth goal in the 57th minute, finishing confidently to put the match beyond Burkina Faso’s reach.
Burkina Faso Pull One Back
Burkina Faso showed resilience and managed a consolation goal through experienced forward Adama Congo, who scored in the 60th minute.
Although it gave Burkina Faso something to celebrate, it was not enough to spark a comeback as Ivory Coast comfortably saw out the remainder of the match.
Goalscorers
- 7′ – Rebecca Elloh (Ivory Coast, penalty)
- 14′ – Inès Konan (Ivory Coast)
- 23′ – Inès Konan (Ivory Coast)
- 57′ – N’Sira Ouedraogo (Ivory Coast)
- 60′ – Adama Congo (Burkina Faso)
Konan Named Player of the Match
With two well-taken goals and an outstanding all-round performance, Inès Konan was deservedly named the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match. Her pace, movement, and finishing caused Burkina Faso problems throughout the encounter.
What the Result Means
The convincing victory gives Ivory Coast three valuable points and places them among the early pace-setters in Group B. After a 12-year absence from WAFCON, the Lady Elephants have announced their return in style and will take great confidence into their remaining group matches.
Burkina Faso, meanwhile, will need to regroup quickly and improve defensively as they prepare for their next fixture. Despite the heavy defeat, their second-half response showed determination that they can build upon.
Final Thoughts
Ivory Coast’s 4–1 victory over Burkina Faso was one of the standout performances of the opening round of WAFCON 2026. Goals from Rebecca Elloh, a brace from Inès Konan, and N’Sira Ouedraogo ensured the Lady Elephants made a perfect start to their campaign.
If they continue to combine clinical finishing with disciplined defending, Ivory Coast could emerge as one of the tournament’s surprise contenders for a deep run.
