Cote d'Ivoire stroll past Niger in Niamey

Cote d'Ivoire women's team began their campaign to return to the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations on a high, with a 9-0 thrashing of Niger in the first round, first leg of the qualifying series on Wednesday, October 20.

The Elephants came into the contest on the back of two disappointing successive absence from the continent's showpiece as they swept past their hosts to claim a huge first leg lead at Stade General Seyni Kountche.

A hat-trick from Rebecca Guehai and Ange N'Guessan's brace, as well as a strike each from Rebecca Elloh, Binta Diakite, Ines Tia and Rosemonde Kouassi, ensured Clementine Toure's side a big win.

Toure's ladies raced into a comfortable 5-0 lead before the half hour in the match with fine contributions of Guehai, Elloh and Diakite.

At the restart, they went on to consolidate on their rampant first half form, adding four more in the second half through N'Guessan, Tia and Kouassi to make it 9-0 eight minutes from time.

The massive result means the Elephants have already put one leg in the second round, where they are likely to face off with a winner between Nigeria and Ghana in February next year.

Before then, the Ivorians will play host to Niger in the first round, second leg at the Stade Robert Champroux in Abidjan on Monday, October 25.

Photos @fifciv.com