The Léopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo were beaten 4-1 by the Éléphantes of Côte d'Ivoire in a first-leg match of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 qualifiers at the TP Mazembe stadium in Lubumbashi. The Ivoirian team dominated the match from the start, with Grâce Ruth Seri scoring in the 3rd minute. The Congolese team equalized in the 16th minute through Anastasia, but Seri scored again in the 20th minute to give Côte d'Ivoire a 2-1 lead at halftime.
The second half saw Côte d'Ivoire continue to control the game, dictating the pace and creating scoring opportunities. Their efforts paid off in the 49th minute when Gnaly Estelle scored the third goal. Four minutes later, Fofana Karidja added a fourth goal, sealing the win for Côte d'Ivoire. The Ivoirian team's superior performance was evident throughout the match, leaving the Congolese team struggling to find their footing.
The loss puts the Congolese team in a difficult position ahead of the second leg match scheduled for October 13 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan. Côte d'Ivoire's dominant performance has given them a significant advantage, and the Congolese team will need to mount a strong comeback to have any chance of qualifying for the Olympic Games.
The match was part of the first round of qualifiers for the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. The Congolese team, led by the Léopards, has been working hard to prepare for the qualifiers, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the stronger Ivoirian team. The team's coach and players will need to regroup and reassess their strategy ahead of the second leg match.
Despite the loss, the Congolese team remains determined to qualify for the Olympic Games. They will need to put on a strong performance in the second leg match to keep their hopes alive. The team's fans are eagerly awaiting the second leg match, hoping that the Léopards can pull off a comeback and secure a spot in the Olympic Games.
The Ivoirian team's victory was celebrated by their fans, who were present in large numbers at the TP Mazembe stadium. The team's coach and players expressed their satisfaction with the result, but also emphasized the importance of the second leg match. They acknowledged that the Congolese team is still a threat and that they will need to be at their best to secure a spot in the Olympic Games.
The second leg match between Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo is scheduled for October 13 at 19:00 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan. The match will determine which team qualifies for the next round of the Olympic Games qualifiers. Côte d'Ivoire's 3-goal lead gives them a significant advantage, but the Congolese team is still in the running.
Key points
- Côte d'Ivoire's dominant performance earned them a 4-1 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo in the first leg of their Olympic qualifier match.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo's women's football team faces an uphill task in the second leg match, needing to overcome a 3-goal deficit to qualify for the Olympic Games.
- The second leg match between Côte d'Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo is scheduled for October 13 at 19:00 at the Félix Houphouët-Boigny stadium in Abidjan.
