Senegal women’s national team have discovered their path to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games after the African qualification draw was conducted at the Confederation of African Football headquarters in Cairo.
The draw, held on Wednesday, sets out a challenging but structured route for the Lionesses as they aim to secure one of only two African places available at the Olympic women’s football tournament in the United States.
Coached by Mame Moussa Cissé, Senegal will begin their campaign in the second round after receiving a bye in the opening phase.
The first round of qualifiers consists of just four fixtures, with several teams entering later stages based on rankings and draw structure.
Senegal have been paired with Tunisia in their opening tie. The two sides will meet over two legs, home and away, with the winner progressing to the third round of qualification.
Should Senegal advance past Tunisia, they will face either Mali or Benin, who contest the other fixture in the same section of the draw.
That potential third-round clash would move the team one step closer to reaching the decisive stage of qualification.
The African qualifying process for the 2028 Olympic Games is designed as a multi-stage knockout competition.
In total, five rounds will be played to determine the continent’s representatives in Los Angeles, with only two teams ultimately securing qualification.
Each round is played over two legs, meaning teams must perform both at home and away to progress. The format leaves little margin for error, with every stage effectively serving as an elimination tie.
For Senegal, the draw presents both opportunity and challenge.
Avoiding the first round gives the team a direct entry into the more competitive stages, but the path ahead will require consistent performances against experienced opposition.
The Lionesses have been steadily developing within African women’s football in recent years, and the Olympic qualifying campaign represents a significant test of their progress.
A strong showing could mark an important milestone in the team’s long-term ambitions on the continental and global stage.
The qualification route also highlights the increasing competitiveness of women’s football across Africa, with established sides such as Tunisia and Mali expected to provide tough opposition.
Senegal’s immediate focus will now turn to preparation for the second-round meeting with Tunisia, which will set the tone for their qualification campaign.
With only two Olympic spots available for the entire continent, every stage carries added pressure and importance.
As the journey to Los Angeles begins, Senegal will aim to navigate a demanding series of knockout rounds in pursuit of a historic Olympic appearance.
