Ivory Coast began their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in impressive fashion after recording a convincing 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso in Casablanca on Monday.
The Elephants took control of their Group B opener with a dominant display and secured three points despite being reduced to 10 players during the first half.
Ivory Coast made the perfect start when Rebecca Elloh converted a penalty in the seventh minute to put her side ahead.
The early goal gave the Ivorians confidence and they quickly extended their advantage. Ines Konan scored seven minutes after Elloh’s opener to give Ivory Coast a two-goal cushion.
Konan was on target again in the 23rd minute, completing her brace and putting the Elephants in a commanding position before the interval.
Burkina Faso struggled to contain their opponents during the opening period, with Ivory Coast making the most of their opportunities in front of goal. The three-goal advantage appeared to have put the Ivorians on course for a comfortable victory.
However, their task became more difficult before half-time when Mariam Diakite was shown a red card in the 38th minute.
The dismissal left Ivory Coast with 10 players and gave Burkina Faso an opportunity to take advantage of their numerical superiority in the second half.
But the balance of the contest changed again shortly after the restart.
Burkina Faso were also reduced to 10 players when Faouzia Ouedraogo was sent off in the 52nd minute. The dismissal restored numerical equality and removed the advantage Burkina Faso had briefly gained from Diakite’s red card.
Ivory Coast responded by adding to their lead five minutes later.
N’Sira Ouedraogo found the net in the 57th minute with a well-taken finish to make it 4-0 and put the result beyond serious doubt.
Burkina Faso did manage to respond, with Adama Congo scoring in the 60th minute to reduce the deficit.
The goal offered Burkina Faso a brief moment of encouragement, but there was to be no dramatic comeback. Ivory Coast remained in control for the remainder of the match and comfortably protected their advantage.
The Elephants’ performance combined effective attacking play with strong control of possession, allowing them to see out the match and claim a convincing opening victory.
The result gives Ivory Coast three valuable points at the beginning of their Group B campaign and provides an early boost to their hopes of progressing in the tournament.
Konan’s two goals were particularly important to the victory, with her first-half brace helping Ivory Coast establish a commanding lead before the interval.
The Elephants will also take confidence from their ability to maintain control after losing a player to a red card. Although Burkina Faso briefly gained a numerical advantage, their own dismissal in the second half ensured the teams finished the match with an equal number of players.
For Burkina Faso, the defeat represents a disappointing start to their WAFCON 2026 campaign. They will now have to regroup and produce a stronger performance in their next Group B fixture if they are to recover from the heavy loss.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, can celebrate an ideal opening to their campaign after scoring four goals and collecting maximum points.
The Elephants’ emphatic victory sends an early message about their intentions at the tournament and gives them a strong foundation as the group stage continues. With their opening match now secured, Ivory Coast will look to build on the performance and maintain their momentum in the remainder of the competition.
