Nothing is settled yet, says Ouzerou Abdoulaye before Benin’s U20 women’s match against Ivory Coast

Benin’s U20 women’s football team is gearing up for a crucial match against Côte d’Ivoire in the opening leg of the final round of African qualifiers for the 2026 U20 Women’s World Cup in Poland. Ouzerou Abdoulaye, the team’s head coach, addressed the media on Friday, May 1, to discuss the upcoming challenge.

During the press conference, Abdoulaye expressed confidence in his squad’s preparedness, noting that they are in good shape with no reported injuries. However, he emphasized the importance of maintaining focus as the team faces the pressure of playing in front of home fans in a packed stadium.

We’re in good shape, with no injuries. Nothing is decided yet; everything is still up for grabs. They’re not yet used to playing in packed stadiums, but they must stay focused and adapt.

The match is set to take place in Abidjan at 5 pm GMT at the Ebimpe Stadium, marking a significant step in Benin’s journey towards the World Cup.