Ivory Coast Draws Against South Africa in Women's AFCON 2026

Ivory Coast's Heartbreaking Draw Against South Africa

The Ivory Coast women's national football team, known as the Éléphantes, came tantalizingly close to achieving a prestigious victory against the reigning African champions, South Africa, during their match on Friday in Casablanca. However, the game ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, leaving both teams battling for qualification in Group B of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2026.

Starting strong, the Ivorian team took the lead early in the match, scoring their first goal in the 18th minute. Grace-Ruth Sery then doubled the advantage in the 36th minute, allowing the Ivorian squad to head into halftime with a comfortable 2-0 lead. The momentum seemed firmly in their favor, and a victory appeared imminent as they dominated the first half.

South Africa Stages a Comeback

Yet, the second half told a different story. The South African team, known as Banyana Banyana, began to regain control of the match. Their striker, Thembi Kgatlana, struck back in the 71st minute, narrowing the gap and reigniting hopes for a comeback. In the dying moments of the match, Hildah Magaia thought she had equalized for her team, but her initial goal was disallowed following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.

Refusing to be disheartened, the South African champions continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off when Hildah Magaia finally scored the equalizer during the 90+9 minute mark. This last-minute goal denied the Ivorian team a well-deserved victory that seemed within their grasp.

This draw has now thrown Group B into a state of uncertainty, as no team has yet secured a place in the quarterfinals. Following this match, South Africa remains in a strong position to advance, while the Ivory Coast must secure a positive result in their final group match against Tanzania to keep their hopes alive.

The upcoming final day of group matches promises to be a nail-biting affair, with all four teams still vying for a spot in the quarterfinals. For the Éléphantes, the challenge lies in converting the high level of play exhibited against the reigning champions into a victory in their last game, ensuring their journey in the Women's AFCON 2026 continues.

As reported by africaradio.com.