Burkina Faso claimed their first ever victory at the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) after beating 10-woman Tanzania 2-1 in a dramatic Group B match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Friday night.
Adele Kabre gave the Lady Stallions the lead shortly before half-time, but Tanzania responded in the second half through Aisha Mnunka despite playing most of the period with 10 players following the sending-off of Hasnath Ubamba.
Bilkissa Sawadogo then struck in the 80th minute to give Burkina Faso a historic win and revive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.
The result leaves Group B wide open after South Africa drew 2-2 with Côte d’Ivoire in the earlier match.
Côte d’Ivoire remain top with four points, Tanzania are second with three, Burkina Faso also have three, while South Africa sit bottom with one point.
Kabre gives Burkina Faso first-half lead
Burkina Faso came into the match under pressure after losing 4-1 to Côte d’Ivoire in their opening game.
They needed a positive result to keep their campaign alive and started with greater determination against a Tanzania side that had beaten South Africa 2-1 in their first match.
Tanzania had gone into the game knowing victory could take them a major step towards a historic quarter-final place, but Burkina Faso were more decisive in the first half.
The breakthrough came in the 43rd minute when Kabre found the net to give the Lady Stallions a 1-0 lead.
It was a crucial goal for Burkina Faso, who had been searching for their first win in the competition after one draw and three defeats in their previous TotalEnergies WAFCON matches.
Tanzania reduced to 10 players
The match changed early in the second half when Tanzania were reduced to 10 players.
Ubamba, who had scored the late winner against South Africa in the opening game, was shown a red card in the 55th minute.
It was a major setback for the Twiga Stars, who were already trailing and now had to chase the match with one player fewer.
But Tanzania refused to collapse.
In the 62nd minute, Mnunka equalised to make it 1-1 and give her team hope of extending their unbeaten start to the tournament.
The goal underlined Tanzania’s fighting spirit and continued their record of every TotalEnergies WAFCON match they have played producing goals.
Sawadogo makes history
Burkina Faso needed a response, and it came with 10 minutes remaining.
Sawadogo scored in the 80th minute to restore the Lady Stallions’ lead and send their bench into celebration.
This time, Burkina Faso protected their advantage.
They had been desperate to bounce back after the heavy defeat by Côte d’Ivoire, and the late goal gave them a platform to stay in contention in the group.
For head coach Issa Balbone, the result will be a major boost after his team had spoken before the match about needing to control their destiny and fight for their first points of the tournament.
Group B remains wide open
The victory dramatically changes the picture in Group B.
Tanzania missed the chance to move closer to an automatic quarter-final place, but their opening win over South Africa means they remain firmly in the race.
Burkina Faso, meanwhile, have moved level with Tanzania on three points and now have renewed belief before their final group match.
Côte d’Ivoire lead the group with four points after their draw against South Africa, while the defending champions have only one point from two matches.
That means all four teams still have something to play for going into the final round.
For Burkina Faso, this was more than three points.
It was a landmark win at the TotalEnergies WAFCON and a result that keeps their tournament alive.
For Tanzania, the defeat will hurt, especially after playing with 10 players for much of the second half, but their quarter-final dream is not over.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
