Ethiopia Women 0-1 Tanzania Women: Twiga Stars snatch precious away win in Addis Ababa
Tanzania Women pulled off a disciplined performance to beat Ethiopia Women 1-0 in the first leg of their CAF Women's African Cup of Nations qualifier on 28 October 2025. The narrow win, secured by a second-half goal, hands the Twiga Stars a crucial advantage ahead of the return match in Tanzania.
Match overview
The atmosphere in Addis Ababa was electric, but it was the visitors who made the brighter start, showing tactical maturity beyond their opponent. Ethiopia, playing at altitude on home soil, appeared nervy in the early exchanges and struggled to string passes together against a compact Tanzanian midfield block.
Ethiopia’s best spell came late in the first half when they forced a series of corners, yet Tanzania’s goalkeeper Khadija Kapalata was equal to the task. The decisive moment arrived on the hour mark when Tanzania won the ball high up the pitch and moved it quickly through midfield. A neat exchange released Clara Luvanga, who kept her composure and slotted into the bottom corner to send the travelling supporters into raptures.
Second leg picture
- Aggregate score: Tanzania lead 1-0 after the first leg.
- Ethiopia's task: They must win the second leg by two clear goals, or by a one-goal margin in a tie that would then likely go to extra time or penalties.
- Tanzania's stratagem: A home draw in the return leg, even 0-0 or 1-1, would be enough to progress to the WAFCON finals.
Tanzania will take great heart from this away victory, especially given the difficulty of playing in Ethiopia's high-altitude capital. Their organisation, work rate, and ability to strike clinically on the counter were the defining factors. Ethiopia, meanwhile, must regroup quickly. Their squad contains talented ball players, but on the night they lacked tempo and creativity against a well-drilled Tanzania side.
The second leg promises to be a tense affair. With the tie firmly in Tanzania's hands, Ethiopia will need to produce their most complete performance of the qualifying campaign to keep their Women's Africa Cup of Nations dream alive.