Ivory Coast made a dream start to their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a convincing 4-1 victory over Burkina Faso on Monday in Casablanca.
Despite finishing the match with ten players, the Elephants dominated from start to finish to secure all three points in Group B.
The Ivorians wasted no time asserting themselves. Rebecca Elloh opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 7th minute, before Ines Konan doubled the lead seven minutes later.
Konan struck again in the 23rd minute to complete her brace and put Ivory Coast firmly in control before halftime.
However, the first half ended on a sour note for the Elephants as Mariam Diakite was sent off in the 38th minute, reducing her side to ten players.
The second half started with another twist as Burkina Faso’s Faouzia Ouedraogo received a red card in the 52nd minute, restoring numerical balance.
Five minutes later, N’Sira Ouedraogo added a fourth goal for Ivory Coast with a well-taken finish. Burkina Faso responded through Adama Congo, who pulled one back in the 60th minute, but it proved to be nothing more than a consolation.
Comfortable in possession and clinical in front of goal, Ivory Coast controlled the remainder of the match to seal a deserved 4-1 win.
The victory gives the Elephants an ideal start to their WAFCON 2026 campaign, while Burkina Faso will need to bounce back quickly in their next group-stage fixture.
