WAFCON 2026 Analysis |The Touchline Y254

Yes, and welcome back. Of course, this is the touchline. Thank you so much for staying with us. It's all about let's talk WAFCON that's ongoing entering the knockout round today with two quarterfinal matches on card and KBC Channel 1 of course has been showing the group stage matches and will continue airing the quarter finals up to the final on 16th of August. But let's look at how it's been especially in the round of the group stages and I'm gifted and blessed as well as Chaff to have Bridget Santey, a sports and football pundit. Karibu sana Bridget. I know we've met on the other side on Channel 1, you know, going up to late in the morning and all that or early in the morning and all that. But great to have you. Thank you so much for honoring our invite on Y254 and gracing the touchline. All right? And let's talk about how your view maybe could be a perfect way to start on how the group stage run has been. Who's been the surprise package? Who has not lived up to the expectations? Yes. >> Okay, thank you for having me, Bernard. Of course, the the surprise package is Malawi, the debutants. They came no one knew about them of course apart from the sister the Chawinga sisters. The other players people didn't know about them. Yeah, of course and they'll be playing I think Ghana. Ghana in the quarterfinal. So we look forward to see how that match goes. Of course, 71 goals scored. >> Yes. >> Algeria, Morocco not conceding a goal. That speaks to the kind of quality that they have. Of course, that group was very Yeah, we've produced from that group we've produced Morocco and Algeria. Morocco, the hosts of course who have made it to the finals in the last two editions and I'm definitely thinking that they will also want to make to these finals again and maybe just win it. We've seen Algeria very good solid side. Of course, South Africa have not lived up to their experience and to the expectations considering the stature and the the kind of players that they have. >> Yes. >> Um Ivory Coast >> Mhm. >> uh from that same group who've come back after 12 years and have made a statement that uh we are back. >> Mhm. >> They have a very huge attacking threat considering also that they'll be playing today. >> Yes. >> Uh our neighbors Tanzania >> Mhm. >> who have invested in their local football a lot. Uh their women's teams. You look at majority of the squad is made up of JKT, Simba Queens, >> Yes. >> Yanga, which means it it is crucial. It reinforces the idea that it is very important that we invest in our local teams. >> Yes, sure. >> Uh of course uh um Ghana, >> Mhm. >> Mali, uh yes, uh I think of course having Barbra Banda in as much as she left uh their team uh was knocked out of the uh of the of the tournament through yeah some contro Everyone looks at it from a controversy point of view, but head-to-head of course tournament football can be very crazy. >> Yes. >> Uh yeah, Barbra leading the top scorers um chart in as much as she left. So, we have Temwa, Temwa of course her team is still there. We have Ines Konan. >> Mhm. >> Uh yeah, uh those are Yeah, and of course Malawi >> for the golden boot. >> boot. >> Yes. >> Uh of course longevity. We continue to see older players uh coming in coming through for their player for their team. >> 150 caps for South Africa's >> Yes. Refiloe Jane, >> Yes. >> uh Chebbak from Morocco 50 caps, >> Mhm. >> uh Maria Da Fátima, >> Mhm. >> uh Asisat Oshoala coming in in in in matches that the the the I mean they looked up to her and she delivered. So, of course uh that longevity people the young the young players need to ask these older players what have you done to ensure that you continue to be relevant. Yeah, so it has been very exciting. >> Very exciting indeed and maybe more closer home Tanzania. >> Yes. >> Looking at just like you mentioned having um JKT Queens, Simba Queens, and Yanga players. But, it was surprising to see that the squad is dominated by JKT, but JKT never come any where closer to the title in in domestic in Tanzania. >> They did they do in the last season they were actually second representative for the CAF Women's Champions League. Yes, so yeah, of course they won their first match. I think I don't know if it was excitement or what not. They were not able to replicate the same results in the other matches. But of course they did better than we did considering we come from the same region. And everyone has spoken we didn't prepare so well. I think also in terms of our tactical approach and flexibility we were not flexible. You see sometimes this 4-4-2 is not working let's try something else. But also in as much as we would want to of course we need to also ensure that we pick the lessons. We have the qualifiers for for Olympics. So I hope that we've picked those lessons and we prepare ourselves the senior team even as they try and qualify to see if we can get a slot to represent Africa at the Olympics. >> Yeah, do you expect to see a fallout from Harambee Starlets performance? >> Yeah, there'll be many casualties. >> [laughter] >> Both players >> Yes. >> Both the technical bench Yeah, and and and people in the ministry here and there. >> Yeah, sure. >> So we expect that there's going to be like they have said in the previous your guest. We need a revamp of a lot of things. >> Yeah, sure. >> Yes. >> Especially the the technical bench in terms when we want stability, we want like direction on the field, you know, yeah, playing style. Yeah, identity should be coming from the technical bench should be leading that but not seeing Monalisa playing everywhere. >> Yes. >> You know, Ayub playing number seven. >> Yeah. >> It was crazy sometimes, but those are the lessons. But maybe big lessons is that we left all our best not the best but the experienced players. You know. >> Yeah, I think Monalisa Dogo and Shilwatso from Kayole Starlets they were standout players for this uh >> Engesha as well, yes. >> Uh not uh okay, yeah, those two players for me. >> first match. >> Yes, yes, yeah. And then of course a lot of goalkeeping errors, those are things we'll need to look into. Yes, but a lot needs to be done. Yes, yes. >> Sure. For us to get back there. So, for the teams that made the quarter-final, right? Of course we have um matches going on uh today. Just looking at the fixtures here, it says that it will be uh maybe matches to watch out of Ivory Coast against Algeria. Uh really a statement for Ines, you know, the team as well. And I'm I'm I will be putting my money on maybe Algeria. >> I will be going with Ivory Coast. Yeah, first two of the of Algeria's best players are out of with injury. >> Mhm. >> And then if you look at Ivory Coast attack line, it's going to be very uh they're they have that I think they're the second best scoring team at the WAFCON so far. So, I'm I'll be going with Ivory Coast. Yeah, I know the the the the the Algeria will definitely want to to win this match considering their defense record. They have a solid defense, but I think that injury will really will really be a minus for them. >> Mhm. >> Of course Morocco South Africa, this is a repeat of the 2022 finals. Uh Morocco lost to South Africa, that is 2-1. And then they would they'd want to turn around those results in front of their home crowd as well. >> For sure. >> Yeah, and then of course you know South Africa didn't make their 20 uh their performance in the last edition was not good. And their performance throughout this uh the group stages has also not been okay. But I think if you look at their head-to-head, they've faced one another in two matches, and South Africa has won. So, I think they have the the experience, the quality, and they need to let uh let go of their bad results they've had in the group stages and see whether they are uh they will win this game. So, I think for me this is a the the finals before the finals. >> Yeah, sure. >> Yes. >> Morocco against uh South Africa, and that's at 11. Do Do think it's um it's a do or die for coach Desiree? >> Yeah, it's a do or die. Yeah, she's been at the World Cup. She's been to a World WAFU Cup final. These same players have played against one another over the years. Yeah, and she said in her post in her pre-match that if you get to such to this stage of the tournament, you need to do everything to get results. So, I'm sure she'll really want to win this game. >> Their experience gives them a head start probably. >> Both teams have experience. Yeah, so whoever wants it more is going to win because a slot at the World Cup is at stake. So, people need to go into this game knowing that. >> Yeah, and maybe Houille does well really coming in with the you know with the World Cup charm, you know. So, we expect that he's not going to let down the Moroccans. >> Yeah, he wouldn't let them down. He's been at This team has been at the finals twice. >> Yes, losing. >> Losing to Nigeria and to South Africa. This might definitely be the year for them. >> Sure. >> Yeah, the the the coach has the pedigree. We've seen how Morocco has performed in the in the group stages not conceding a goal scoring many goals. Yeah, I look it's going to be a very intense game. >> Sure. Cameroon Nigeria, that's tomorrow. That's at 8:00 p.m. then Malawi Ghana. But Cameroon Nigeria Nigeria again, maybe they have a lot to prove. >> Yeah. >> They just did enough against Egypt. >> They've just been I think Nigeria has just been what will I say? They have not lived up to the expectations. As defending champions of course you have pressure but how then do you do you use that pressure to your to your to your benefit. >> Yes. >> Yeah, another This is it's going to be a very physical side, a very physical match and we'd want to see if Nigeria would of course want a better result >> Sure. >> Of course Cameroon have had a good game. Uh Marie Ngah Yeah, they have really been stand out players. I think by the by the time you're getting to these quarter finals, it is the best of the best and every team would want to because you know how you have four automatic slots to get to the World Cup. So everyone out of these eight teams, all everyone would want to be amongst those four. >> Yeah, sure. >> Yes. >> And Nigeria of course would like to be there knowing that they won this particular competition 11 times. But does that does that take any shine from this tournament and the quality of maybe competition that only three countries have won it in 14 editions? >> I anticipate a new winner. So I think that means that women's football and the quality is improving. >> Yes. >> Yeah, I anticipate a new winner that is not South Africa, that is not Nigeria. Yeah, so that speaks to the quality of football. And you see, this are uh >> Who could be the new winner? >> Uh I anticipate uh Morocco, Ivory Coast. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, but I'm anticipating a new winner and it speaks to the fact that women's football is becoming competitive, the quality is growing. So in as much as uh of course the stadiums are not full and uh there was poor visibility and marketing around the tournament, but the girls have showed up for their team for their national teams. They have proven themselves. We are seeing young players who've gotten who are debuting and they are doing well. Yeah, so yeah, it's going to be very competitive. >> Yeah, uh but congratulations to I think um especially in Kenya, we you know KBC has shown the matches which is a big thing, you know, to just have the women football out there. But also why do you think that there's been, you know, the uh I'll say slow interest in investing in women's soccer over time. >> I think first the problem is because people compare women's football and men's football. >> Yes. >> For a very long time >> Because the women football actually operates on the men's platform. >> Yes. >> All the rules and everything. >> We need to we need to stop comparing because you will never get uh the the turnout for men's football is definitely going to be different for women's football. So it's important that we package women's football different from men's football. Two, I think just awareness creation because you know sports for a very long time has been male dominated. Uh we have gender roles. Women are known that kazi yako ni kwa kitchen and all that unakuja sports kufanya nini. So awareness creation on the importance of changing gender roles and needs. Uh and then of course, women sports is doing well. Look at our under 17s, they're going to the World Cup. >> Mhm. >> Look at the the senior team, have gone to the World Cup for the second time. >> Mhm. >> So, they're giving you results. So, for for for for broadcasters, for corporates, it's important that you now invest in women's football because you're going to get your return on investment. >> Sure. >> Yeah. And that's not only football, even in other sports. >> Mhm. >> We see hockey. >> Mhm. >> We see volleyball. >> Mhm. >> We see Yeah, so it's important that we do continued awareness creation on the importance of women >> Mhm. >> uh of people's of of women taking part in sports, but also just the the the the create an a positive environment for these women to participate in sports >> Yes. >> because we are talking about Harambee Starlets having a bad uh tournament, but have we spoken about the preparation? >> Yes. >> Have we spoken about the structural flaws that we have? >> Yes. >> Yes. You know, the the environment that really makes >> Yeah, safeguarding issues. >> Yes. >> Yeah, are those things that we've dealt with. >> Mhm. >> Yeah, so once we are able to solve all of that and add the fact that they are performing very well, then I think in the near future we are going to see more people in the stadium supporting women's football because we are sure you'll get the results. >> Yeah, and we did see them during the international friendly series at Nyayo. So, it's not something hard to pull, but with time I think it begins actually with the a lot of interest in the especially the league. >> Yes. >> The women's league. >> Yeah. >> All the divisions, all the tiers. Yeah. >> Yeah, yeah. And then I think scheduling also is an issue. >> Mhm. >> The the scheduling, what time are you putting these women's teams to play? >> Mhm. >> Where are they playing? >> Yes. >> Because sometimes venues are >> Especially where Yeah. >> Yeah, venues are a problem. >> People don't care so much. >> Yes. So, once we we sort our internal and the local things >> Mhm. >> uh local issues, then of course at at the at the senior team, at the national team >> Yes. >> we are going to have uh uh quality quality players. >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Sure. So, I mean and also one more quarterfinal match of course This is Malawi. >> Yes. Malawi against [clears throat] against Ghana, right? >> Yeah. >> And I mean I mean I know we know that Temwa and Tabitha have been so much in our you know in in our in our discussions. Yes, they are but again >> Yeah. >> They are run I think they've been the revelation of the tournament. Yeah. >> Yes, they have. They have. And I'm sure Fazili the coach would want to continue >> Yeah. >> Yeah, he'd want to continue surprising people up there in this tournament. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, you see that what we have we have always been saying it's important that you win all your group stage matches. >> Mhm. >> get to a situation that that group people Yeah, you're depending on someone to to draw or win. Yeah, so that and then of course most of the players in that some of the core of that Malawian side is a local players. >> Yes. >> So it also speaks to the fact what we are saying. We need to invest in the local team in the local leagues in the local women's leagues if we are supposed to have good quality in the national team. >> Yes. >> Yeah, of course we in as much as we have Temwa and Tabitha, we also have the Kazeres, the the other players in the team who have really >> Even the goalkeeper Cecilia. >> Yeah, of course she >> [laughter] >> made a few >> Taken out of love though. >> Yes, yes. But I'm sure you know you're entering into another phase of the tournament and mental mental strength is really needed here. It's a knockout so you could put it there you're going home. So the stakes are very high so yeah. And it's good that these teams have other outlets other attacking outlets. You don't depend on the Temwa on the Chawinga sisters because definitely every team is going to be to want to mark them and all that. You're going to maybe two defenders are going to be assigned. So it's important that we have other attacking outlets but also if you're facing teams that are are very good defensive. >> Mhm. >> Can you use your set pieces? Yeah, because we've seen that most of the teams are good defensive >> yes. >> are not taking advantage of your set pieces. So yeah, I think even as we move to the quarterfinals set pieces are going to be very >> Yes, yes, sure. >> Yes. >> So the quarterfinals of course running from today and tomorrow. Then on Wednesday the semifinals. But who do you fancy to go through in the uh this quarterfinal matches that we have here especially? Let's begin with the first one which is um Ivory Coast against Algeria. You picked on Ivory Coast to go through, right? >> Yes. >> But they have very young Ines, you know, been a you know, a sort of a revelation to them as well. They come back and they've shown that they're hungry again to be back on the on the continental stage. >> Yeah. >> And then with the new coach Pedros, you know, look he's so calm and collected, not worried, cuts a composed figure on the touchline. Yes. >> Yeah, I think Ivory Coast I would go with Ivory Coast to win this game. >> And then Stity maybe he's a defensive prowess which we've seen that really a compact side. This particular round though you mentioned that two players are not there, but again how he comes up and replaces them is what makes a coach. >> Yes, yes, yeah, you have to have because even one of the injuries, one of the players of was not >> Mhm. Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Yeah, sure. Go on. Go on. >> So, yeah, I think uh Ivory Coast can be able to if Ivory Coast is to win this game then they'll need to find a way of breaking that defensive team. And I think they would do that. >> They Yes. Morocco South Africa, who would you go with? Morocco is at home. >> Yeah. >> I think pressure could just be their undoing for them. >> Yeah, but I think uh this is the year for them. I am I love South Africa. I follow their local sports. Yeah, but I think for this one Morocco will go through. >> Yeah, sure. Maybe age is catching up with South Africa. >> Uh yes, it's about time Pierre. But you know, in such competitions you don't talk about the age because coming age comes with experience. So, for me I'm a believer of If you're going to a continental tournament, go with the the most experienced. So, I don't think >> Sure. >> Yes. >> Sure. And Refiloe is just all right to be there, but surely we hope we are all people expect Desiree not to continue after this though, but she's achieved. She's done it for the country for for South Africa. >> Yeah. >> Cameroon Nigeria, Central African West Africa derby of some sort. >> Nigeria, I'll go with Nigeria. >> We'll go with Nigeria. A really good squad. No player plays at home in this party the first 11 especially. >> Yeah. >> Uh you see they get they get access to high level competition, proper coaching and all that and that they bring to this. Of course, these are people that have won this tournament 10 or 11 times. So, I'm going to uh count on them to use this experience to win this match. >> Malawi, Ghana? >> I think Malawi. >> Uh-huh. >> Malawi in as much you know Ghana has been around. Yeah, I think even in the last they are bronze winners in the last edition. But, I hope I think Malawi because they are our surprise package. I see that they are going to make it to the next round based on that. >> Sure. >> Yeah, they have the momentum. They have the belief. Yeah, they'll be in the next round. >> And we believe that we'll see um a new winner of this particular competition being written, right? Thank you so much, Bridget, for your time. >> Right. Thank you for having me. >> Yeah. I hope to see you again next weekend. Probably we'll be talking about the semi-finals and as we head into the final next weekend. But, great to see you and wishing you a great weekend as well. >> Uh thank you. Thank you for having me. >> Yes. >> First time on Touchline, right? >> Yes. Yes. >> Of course, we're looking forward to more and more. >> Yeah. >> Bridget also appears on Channel 1 during the WAFCON as a pundit and really knowledgeable uh knowledgeable and knowledge worker. Thank you so much, Bridget, and thank you for watching uh the interview. But, we'll be coming back with Mwalimu Kikechi Kombo we're talking about matches rugby then later on it will be about the fan zone. We'll be dissecting and looking at the transfers as well as the major news from the international scene. So, stay with us on the Touchline. We'll be back. >> All right.