After a 12-year absence from Africa’s biggest women’s football competition, Côte d’Ivoire return to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 determined to r
The report indicates that after a 12-year absence from Africa’s biggest women’s football competition, Côte d’Ivoire return to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 determined to re-establish themselves among the continent’s leading nations.
It further notes that the Elephants secured an unexpected route back to the finals following the expansion of the tournament from 12 to 16 teams.
Now guided by experienced French coach Reynald Pedros and inspired by prolific striker Habibou Ouedraogo, Côte d’Ivoire believe they have the talent to challenge Africa’s established powers once again.
Côte d’Ivoire’s journey to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 took an unusual turn.
The Elephants were knocked out in the final qualifying round after a fiercely contested tie against Senegal. Neither side managed to score across the two legs, with Senegal eventually prevailing 5-4 on penalties to deny the Ivorians automatic qualification.
However, a major decision by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) transformed their fortunes.
Following the expansion of the Women’s AFCON from 12 to 16 participating teams, CAF allocated the additional places based on the FIFA Women’s World Ranking.
Ranked among the four highest-placed teams that had narrowly missed qualification, Côte d’Ivoire earned a place at the finals, completing their return to the continental showpiece for the first time since 2014.
Former Morocco head coach Reynald Pedros was appointed in January 2025 to lead Côte d’Ivoire into a new era.
The Frenchman arrived with an outstanding reputation built during a successful coaching career, highlighted by guiding Olympique Lyonnais to the UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 2018.
Pedros has quickly introduced a clear footballing philosophy centred on structured possession, intelligent movement and attacking football.
His teams are encouraged to build patiently from the back while maintaining high levels of tactical discipline, coordinated pressing and rapid transitions whenever possession is lost.
Equally important has been his emphasis on developing versatile players capable of adapting to different tactical situations and exploiting wide areas to create attacking opportunities.
His appointment has injected fresh belief into a squad eager to restore Côte d’Ivoire’s standing in African women’s football.
