WAFCON 2026: Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa Advance as Group B Reaches Dramatic Conclusion
Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa have officially secured their places in the quarter-finals after a high-stakes final round of Group B matches in Casablanca.
The Lady Elephants asserted their continental dominance at the Moulay Rachid Stadium by defeating Tanzania 2-1 in a highly physical encounter.
This clinical victory elevates the Ivorians to seven points, safely cementing their status as undefeated group winners heading into the elite knockout bracket.
Concurrently, former tournament champions South Africa produced a resilient performance to edge past Burkina Faso 1-0 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
Talismanic forward Thembi Kgatlana proved to be the match-winner yet again, netting a brilliant, decisive goal in the 21st minute of play.
Desiree Ellis’s side successfully withstood a late offensive onslaught from the Lady Stallions to seal the vital points and finish cleanly as group runners-up.
The conclusion of these simultaneous pool fixtures leaves Tanzania in third place with three points, while Burkina Faso exits the tournament at the bottom of the pile.
Both qualified nations have now set up highly anticipated, blockbuster quarter-final showdowns for this coming weekend.
Côte d’Ivoire will battle regional rivals Algeria, while South Africa is scheduled to clash against undefeated tournament hosts Morocco in a massive heavyweight encounter.
