Tanzania’s Twiga Stars crush Equatorial Guinea to boost WAFCON hopes
What you need to know:
- With this victory, Twiga Stars now need just a draw in the second leg on February 26 to advance.
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s national women’s football team, Twiga Stars, have kicked off their campaign to qualify for the 2026 Morocco Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a bang after outshining Equatorial Guinea 3-1.
Equatorial Guinea shocked Twiga Stars by taking a 1-0 lead in the 42nd minute when Getruede Engueme scored with a stunning shot from just outside the danger zone.
Twiga Stars started the second half strongly and scored three goals.
Their goals were netted by Stumai Abdallah in the 49th minute after a well-placed pass from Clara Luvanga, followed by Enekia Lunyamila in the 55th minute, before Diana Msewa sealed the victory in the 90th minute.
With this victory, Twiga Stars now need just a draw in the second leg on February 26 to advance.
However, if Equatorial Guinea win 2-0, Tanzania will be eliminated in the qualification round.
If they progress, they will face the winner between Uganda and Ethiopia in the second round.
Today’s February 20, 2025 match saw Equatorial Guinea dominate the game, especially in midfield, applying pressure on Twiga Stars.
Twiga Stars head coach Bakari Shime made two key substitutions, replacing Hasnath Ubamba with Stumai Abdallah and bringing on Lunyamila for Aisha Mnunka.
The changes had an immediate impact, as Twiga Stars increased their attacking intensity, leading to three second-half goals.
Twiga Stars continued to press forward, and in the 69th minute, striker Clara Luvanga was forced to leave the pitch due to injury, with Winifrida Gerald coming on as her replacement.
Guinea’s record and Tanzania’s prospects
Twiga Stars’ victory eases the pressure of playing away, as they effectively utilized their home advantage.
With Guinea showing weaknesses in midfield and attack, Twiga Stars have a strong chance of progressing to the next stage by capitalizing on these vulnerabilities.
Historically, Guinea have been strong when playing at home, making it crucial for Tanzania to secure a win or at least a draw in the return leg to advance to the next round.
Guinea’s WAFCON history
Equatorial Guinea won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 2008, defeating South Africa 1-0 at home and securing a 1-1 draw away. At the time, Guinea were the tournament hosts.
In 2010, they finished as runners-up after a 4-2 loss to Nigeria, but in 2012, they reclaimed the title with a dominant 4-0 victory over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana.
