Senegal Women 0-0 Cote d'Ivoire Women: Stalemate leaves WAFCON tie perfectly poised
Senegal Women and Cote d'Ivoire Women played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their CAF Women's African Cup of Nations qualifier on 25 October 2025. The result leaves the tie delicately balanced, with both teams still capable of advancing when the two sides meet again in the return fixture.
Match overview
A highly tactical encounter unfolded in Dakar, where both teams treated the first leg with caution. Senegal, playing in front of a partisan home crowd, dominated possession in the opening half-hour but failed to create clear-cut chances against a well-drilled Ivorian backline. Cote d'Ivoire, content to absorb pressure, relied on quick transitions and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
The best chance of the match came just before the interval. Senegal forward Ndeye Awa Diakhaté found space at the far post and met a corner with a powerful header, but Ivorian goalkeeper Kyra Djédjé produced an excellent reaction save to keep the match level. After the break, Cote d'Ivoire pushed forward with more intent, yet their final pass repeatedly let them down in the final third.
Key takeaways
- Defensive solidity: Both backlines remained resolute; only 2 shots on target were combined across the 90 minutes.
- Result in context: With no away goals now counting in many CAF qualifiers, the 0-0 means the second leg becomes a near 50-50 contest.
- Set-piece threat: Senegal looked dangerous from wide free-kicks but could not convert their aerial superiority into a goal.
From a strategic standpoint, Senegal may regret their lack of intensity in the second half, but they remain confident in their travelling squad. Cote d'Ivoire, meanwhile, will be delighted to return to Abidjan with a clean sheet and a genuine chance of progressing to the Women's Africa Cup of Nations finals.
The second leg is set to be a compelling occasion, with away supporters expecting a more open game. Both coaches know that a single goal could be decisive, making this one of the most finely balanced ties of the qualifying round.