The first round of qualifying for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations began on Wednesday with several notable matches taking place on Thursday as well.
In the Gabonese capital of Franceville, Mali dominated the hosts by winning 6-0. The Malians scored five goals in the first half before adding a sixth in the second half.
In Lomé, the Amazons of Benin won 2-1 against Sierra Leone. Aude Gbedjissi opened the scoring in the 25th minute before Marie Kamara equalized for Leones Stars in the 36th minute. Just before the break (45+1), Gbedjissi scored her second goal to confirm victory for the Amazons.
Video: Aude Gbedjissi scores both goals for Benin in their 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone (Video Credit: Ablam Gnamesso/Facebook)
At the Azam Complex Stadium, Tanzania took the lead over Equatorial Guinea by winning 3-1. Twiga Stars scored through Stumai Abdalah, Enekia Kasonga and Diana Msewa, consolidating their position ahead of the second leg.
On Wednesday, Algeria were on the positive end of a decisive 5-0 victory over South Sudan with the North African nation now poised to advance. The Gambia also hold an advantage after the first leg following their 2-0 defeat of Niger while DR Congo defeated Botswana by the same score.
These results place Mali, Benin and Tanzania in a favorable position while awaiting the other posters planned for February 21. The return matches, scheduled between February 24 and 26, 2025.
Results (1st Leg)
South Sudan 0-5 Algeria
Niger 0-2 The Gambia
Botswana 0-2 DR Congo
Tanzania 3-1 Equatorial Guinea
Gabon 0-6 Mali
Angola 2-1 Zimbabwe
Benin 2-1 Sierra Leone
Friday fixtures
Kenya vs Tunisia
Eswatini vs Namibia
Uganda vs Ethiopia
Rwanda vs Egypt
Guinea vs Cape Verde
Djibouti vs Togo
Burundi vs Burkina Faso (Sunday)
Senegal and Malawi advanced after the withdrawals of Chad and Congo-Brazzaville.
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