Twiga Stars have ended their campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Ivory Coast in their final Group C match.
Despite their elimination from the tournament, head coach Bakari Shime praised his players for their commitment and for following the planned game strategy.
Shime said the team used tactics aimed at exploiting their opponents' weaknesses, but a few unfortunate mistakes proved costly.
The coach also explained that the injury suffered by striker Opa Clement, which forced her to leave the pitch, weakened the team’s attacking options.
In addition, injuries to several key players forced him to give opportunities to younger players, who showed great effort despite their limited experience.
Although they were eliminated from the competition, Twiga Stars made history by recording their first ever victory in the WAFCON finals after defeating South Africa 2-1 in their opening match. The achievement offers great hope for the continued growth of women’s football in Tanzania.
