Tanzania Women vs Ivory Coast Women WAFCON Preview
Ivory Coast are aiming to maintain their unbeaten record at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations when they face Tanzania in their final Group B fixture.
Both teams are in the mix to qualify, but Les Elephantes have looked a bit more solid than their rivals and should claim the upper hand.
Key Stats
- Ivory Coast are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Ivory Coast have won two of their last three matches in all competitions.
- Tanzania have failed to win six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Ivory Coast with the Edge
Ivory Coast have two wins while Tanzania have been victorious once in three previous matches. They met in the qualifiers for the 2024 WAFCON, with each team claiming a 2-0 win in their home leg before the Tanzanians progressed on penalties.
Dose of Reality for Tanzania
Tanzania head into the clash off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in their previous fixture. They fought back from a goal down to level through Aisha Mnunka and looked to be headed for a draw before conceding a late winner.
It was a return to reality for Tanzania, who had begun their campaign with a shock 2-1 victory over South Africa. Bakari Shime’s team are currently second in the table and could secure a place in the quarter-finals with a win on Tuesday.
The problem for Tanzania is that the win over South Africa was a rare result as they have been largely unconvincing lately. Twiga Stars are winless in six of their last eight matches in all competitions.
Ivory Coast Poised to Progress
Ivory Coast were held to a 2-2 draw by South Africa in their previous Group B fixture. They threw away a two-goal lead from Grace Sery’s brace and were pegged back late in the contest.
While manager Reynald Pedros will be disappointed with the outcome, Ivory Coast remain unbeaten in the group. They are currently top of the table and only need a point in their final fixture to qualify.
Ivory Coast's showings at the WAFCON are an extension of their overall form heading into the tournament. They are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, winning two of the last three fixtures in this run.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Tanzania (3-1-4-2): Najiat Idrissa; Ester Maseke, Violeth Mwamakamba, Julitha Singano; Anastazia Katunzi; Enekia Lunyamila, Aisha Mnunka, Diana Msewa, Donisia Minja; Opah Clement, Stumai Abdallah.
Tanzania will be without forward Hasnath Ubamba, who is suspended after getting sent off last time out. Abdallah could be drafted in to partner Clement in attack while Mwamakamba should continue in defence.
Ivory Coast (3-4-2-1): Aramatou Diakite; Anastasie Gbehi, Mariam Diakite, Katchi Yapo; Aicha Fofana, Bernadette Amani, Grace Sery, Rebecca Elloh; Rosemonde Kouassi, Ines Konan; Nsira Ouedraogo.
Ivory Coast have no injuries or suspensions and could stick with the team that faced South Africa. Sery should continue in midfield following her brace last time out, while Ouedraogo is set to continue in attack.