Tanzania face do-or-die Wafcon tie against Equatorial Guinea
Twiga Stars players train ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Twiga Stars need just a draw to advance to the next stage after their 3-1 victory at the Azam Complex in the first leg. However, a 2-0 loss would see them eliminated from the competition.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, face a do-or-die match today in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifier against Equatorial Guinea at Estadio de Malabo, Equatorial Guinea from 7pm.
Twiga Stars need just a draw to advance to the next stage after their 3-1 victory at the Azam Complex in the first leg. However, a 2-0 loss would see them eliminated from the competition.
The team’s head coach, Bakari Shime, said they are taking the match seriously and called on his players to fight hard to come out with positive results. Shime said that they have trained well and believes in his players, who will not let them down in the encounter.
"I call on my players to stay focused at all times and play with determination. They must be aware of the results needed to either qualify or be knocked out of the competition.
We know the match will not be easy, as Equatorial Guinea are two-time champions,” said Shime.
He said that the main goal is to secure a spot in the 2026 tournament in Morocco. The Wafcon also serves as a qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Despite the absence of key player Clara Luvanga due to injury, Shime reassured fans that the team remains strong.
A total of 38 African nations are competing for one of the 12 available spots in the final tournament, alongside hosts Morocco, who qualify automatically.
Records show that Morocco will be hosting the finals for the third time, reaffirming the country’s commitment to developing and promoting the sport across the continent.
Defending champions South Africa are among six nations exempted from the first round due to their high FIFA ranking. They are joined by Zambia, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Cameroon, all of whom are expected to make a strong impact when they enter the competition in the second round.
The qualification process is set to highlight emerging forces in African women’s football while showcasing the growing competitiveness of established nations. The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations promises to be a celebration of talent and passion, driving the sport forward across the continent.
