The head coach of Tanzania’s women’s team has said he was impressed with his team’s win against Equatorial Guinea in the first leg first round of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers.

Twiga Stars defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-1 in the first leg match played on Thursday at the Azam Stadium.

Bakari Shime made it clear that although his team should have won by a bigger margin, he was impressed at the level they responded after going a goal down in the first half.

“The team showed a lot of hunger and team work has they searched for goals. It is a good first leg result that we must ride on and go get another good result in the return leg,” added Shime.

Getruede Engueme gave the visitors the lead after 42 minutes to silence the home fans. But Twiga Stars responded positively to score three second half goals though Stumai Abdallah, Enekia Kasonga and Diana Msewa.

Action in the WAFCON 2026 qualifiers continues on Friday with four teams from CECAFA Zone taking to the field. Uganda will host Ethiopia, while Djibouti take on Togo.

Rwanda will also face Egypt at the Kigali Pele Stadium, and Kenya play host to Tunisia. On Sunday Burudi will battle Burkina Faso.

Fixture

Feb 21

Uganda vs Ethiopia

Djibouti vs Togo

Rwanda vs Egypt

Kenya vs Tunisia

Feb 23

Burundi vs Burkina Faso

Hosts South Sudan have suffered a 5-0 defeat to Algeria in the first leg first round of the CAF TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers.

Laura Carine Taleb gave the visitors the lead after 20 minutes at the Juba National Stadium after finishing off with a fine header.

South Sudan captained by the experienced Amy Lasu Luaya Lasu tried to fight back to try and level matters, but failed to penetrate the Algerian defending line.

Algeria made it 2-0 after 43 minutes when Lea Soizic Abdoub placed the ball past South Sudan’s goalkeeper Nawal Isaac Majok.

In the second half the visitors were awarded a penalty after 47 minutes, but skipper Guellati Sofia failed to convert from the spot. But the Algerians were hungry for more goals and made it 3-0 two minutes later when Naima Bouhani Ben scored.

After 56 minutes Ghouthia Habiba converted from the spot to make it 4-0. South Sudan defender Dorka Gerald Lokeri got her name on the score sheet with an own goal after 86 minutes when she headed in a well taken Quassila Alduache free-kick.

Seven more teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action in the first leg of the WAFCON qualifiers with Tanzania taking to the field tomorrow against Equatorial Guinea in Dar es Salaam.

On Friday Uganda Crested Cranes will host Ethiopia, while Djibouti battle Togo, and Rwanda take on Egypt in Kigali. Burundi will take on Burkina Faso on February 23^rd, 2025.

The 2026 WAFCON will be hosted by Morocco.

CECAFA representatives Tanzania have been drawn in Group C of the inaugural CAF Women’s Futsal Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025.

During the draw conducted on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt, the Tanzanian team has been drawn alongside Madagascar and Senegal.

The competition which will bring together the best nine Futsal teams on the continent will take centre stage from April 22-30^th, 2025 in Morocco.

The hosts Morocco have been placed alongside Cameroon and Namibia in Group A, while Group B has Namibia, Egypt and Guinea.

The best two teams will qualifier to represent Africa in the 2025 FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place from 21 November – 7 December, 2025 in Philippines.

Group A: Morocco, Cameroon, Namibia

Group B: Angola, Egypt, Guinea

Group C: Madagascar, Tanzania, Senegal

Tanzanian international Malaika Meena has said she is very excited signing for Barclays Women’s Championship side, Bristol City Women FC.

The midfielder signed few days ago for Bristol City on a two-and-a-half-year deal with the option of a further year.

“I’m very excited to sign for Bristol City, especially with the ambition of this club, fighting for promotion,” she said.

Meena came through the academy systems at both Arsenal and then Chelsea before signing for Wake Forest University in North Carolina. The midfielder spent three and a half years in the USA before returning to England to sign for the Robins.

The 21-year old joins after successful season with Wake Forest University.

Meena has also been summoned ahead of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers where Tanzania face Equatorial Guinea in the first round.