Fennecs fight back to reach last-four

In a riveting quarter-final match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria staged a remarkable comeback to secure a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, advancing to the semi-finals. The match took place in Casablanca on Saturday, offering a thrilling spectacle for fans.

Ivory Coast took the lead in the 29th minute, with Inès Konan scoring the opening goal. However, their lead was short-lived as Algeria suffered a significant setback when N. Ouédraogo received a red card in the 42nd minute, resulting in the Elephants playing with 10 players for the remainder of the game.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Algeria capitalized after halftime, with substitute I. Khiri equalizing for the Fennecs in the 59th minute. Ivory Coast had a chance to level the score, but R. Elloh missed the mark from the penalty spot in the 62nd minute.

Algeria sealed the win two minutes later when A. Braham put the team ahead in the 64th minute, following a set-up by M. Dafeur. Despite Ivory Coast's efforts to equalize, Algeria held on to secure their place in the semi-finals.

This victory marks a significant milestone for Algeria, continuing their impressive performance in the tournament. In contrast, Ivory Coast's campaign concludes after their first appearance in the WAFCON since 2014. The Elephants had demonstrated a strong start, topping Group B with victories over Burkina Faso and Tanzania.

Algeria will now shift their focus to the semi-finals, aiming for their maiden WAFCON title. Reporter Peter, who has been covering sports extensively for PUNCH for almost two years, highlights the combat sports reporting, special features, and human angle stories in this account.