Shime: Twiga Stars still on course for WAFCON knockout place despite Burkina Faso defeat

The loss leaves Tanzania with everything to play for in their final group fixture against Côte d'Ivoire, with Shime confident his side can still secure qualification.

Tanzania were beaten 2-1 by Burkina Faso at Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on 31 July, 2026, having opened their campaign with a historic 2-1 victory over former champions South Africa.

Despite the setback, Shime remains confident his team can reach the quarter-finals when they face Group B leaders Côte d'Ivoire, who have four points from their opening two matches.

"We still have hope. A draw or a win will take us into the knockout stage. We only have ourselves to blame because we failed to manage the match well. We will correct our mistakes before the final game," said Shime.

Reflecting on the defeat, the Tanzania coach felt his side had performed well for long spells but were ultimately punished for defensive errors.

"It was a competitive match. We started well in the first half and played according to our plan. We created several chances and scored twice, although one goal was ruled out for a foul," he said.

"A small mistake led to their first goal and changed the course of the match. In the second half we pushed for an equaliser, but the red card affected the way we played. Even so, we managed to level the score, which gave us hope. Unfortunately, another mistake in the closing minutes allowed them to score the winner, leaving us with no time to respond."

Defender Fatuma Issa has called on Tanzanian supporters to continue backing the team, saying the players are determined to respond against Côte d'Ivoire.

"We appreciate everyone who supported us. We will prepare well for our next match against Côte d'Ivoire.

"The coach has identified the areas we need to improve, and I believe we will perform better. I urge our fans to continue supporting us as they did in our opening match," she said.

Tanzania face Côte d'Ivoire in their final Group B fixture knowing qualification for the knockout stage remains within their grasp.