Tanzania’s national women’s football team, the Twiga Stars, remain in contention for a quarter-final spot at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following their narrow 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso in their second Group B match held in Casablanca.

After a strong start to the tournament with a historic 2-1 win over former champions South Africa, the setback against Burkina Faso means Tanzania must secure at least a draw in their final group game against Côte d'Ivoire to advance.

Coach Shime Confident Despite Setback

Head coach Bakari Shime expressed confidence that his team can still qualify for the knockout rounds. He noted that a draw or victory against Côte d'Ivoire, who currently lead the group with four points, would be enough to progress.

"We still have hope. A draw or a win will take us into the knockout stage. We only have ourselves to blame because we failed to manage the match well. We will correct our mistakes before the final game," Shime said.

Match Review and Tactical Reflections

Shime highlighted that the team performed well during large parts of the match but were ultimately undone by defensive lapses.

  • The Twiga Stars started strongly and created multiple scoring opportunities.
  • One goal was disallowed due to a foul.
  • A defensive error led to Burkina Faso's opening goal, shifting momentum.
  • Despite a red card that challenged Tanzania’s ability to press for an equalizer, they managed to level the score.
  • However, a late mistake allowed Burkina Faso to score the winner, leaving Tanzania with no time to respond.

Players Appeal for Continued Support

Defender Fatuma Issa urged fans to maintain their support ahead of the decisive clash with Côte d'Ivoire. She emphasized the team’s determination to improve and deliver a better performance.

"We appreciate everyone who supported us. We will prepare well for our next match against Côte d'Ivoire. The coach has identified the areas we need to improve, and I believe we will perform better. I urge our fans to continue supporting us as they did in our opening match," Issa said.

The Twiga Stars will face Côte d'Ivoire with their WAFCON knockout ambitions still alive, while Burkina Faso prepares to meet South Africa in the remaining Group B fixtures.