WAFCON 2026: Burkina Faso keep quarter-final dream alive with victory over Tanzania

Burkina Faso secured their first-ever victory at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a dramatic 2-1 win over 10-player Tanzania in a thrilling Group B clash at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday.

Adele Kabre gave the Lady Stallions a deserved lead just before half-time, but Tanzania responded after the break through Aisha Mnunka despite playing with 10 players following Hasnath Ubamba’s red card.

Bilkissa Sawadogo netted the winner in the 80th minute to seal a landmark victory for Burkina Faso and breathe new life into their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

The result leaves Group B finely poised after South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire played out a 2-2 draw earlier in the day.

Côte d’Ivoire lead the group with four points, while Tanzania and Burkina Faso are level on three points. South Africa sit bottom with one point.

Burkina Faso entered the match under pressure after suffering a 4-1 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening fixture and knew only a positive result would keep their campaign on track.

Tanzania, who defeated South Africa 2-1 in their opener, were aiming to move closer to a historic quarter-final berth. However, Burkina Faso showed greater urgency from the outset and were rewarded in the 43rd minute when Kabre broke the deadlock.

The goal put the Lady Stallions on course for a long-awaited breakthrough after failing to win any of their previous four TotalEnergies WAFCON matches, having recorded one draw and three defeats.