Senegal have ended Côte d’Ivoire’s hopes of qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a dramatic playoff clash. Meanwhile, Mali were shocked at home by Cape Verde, and DR Congo suffered heartbreak in stoppage time.

At the Félix Houphouët-Boigny Stadium in Abidjan, Senegal edged Côte d’Ivoire in a tense second-leg encounter. After a goalless draw in both matches (0-0 aggregate), the Lionesses triumphed 5-4 on penalties, displaying perfect composure from the spot while the Ivorians missed one crucial attempt.

In Bamako, Cape Verde made history by overturning a 0-1 first-leg deficit to defeat Mali 4-2 at the Stade du 26 Mars, sealing their first-ever Women’s AFCON qualification. Despite a brace from Oumou Koné (55’, 88’), Mali couldn’t stop Cape Verde’s stunning comeback.

Meanwhile, DR Congo’s dream ended cruelly in Johannesburg. After a 1-1 draw in Kinshasa, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa snatched victory in the 91st minute, thanks to a decisive goal from Thembi Kgatlana — the same team that finished fourth in the last edition held in July 2024.

With these results, all 12 qualified teams for the 2026 Women’s AFCON in Morocco are now confirmed:
🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇨🇻 Cape Verde, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇩🇿 Algeria, 🇿🇲 Zambia, 🇹🇿 Tanzania, 🇲🇼 Malawi, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇬🇭 Ghana, 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso, 🇰🇪 Kenya, and 🇲🇦 host nation Morocco.