Amazones du Bénin hold ivorian u20 women’s team to 1-1 draw

The Benin U20 women’s national team pulled off a gritty performance in Abidjan this past Saturday, securing a hard-fought 1-1 draw against the Ivory Coast’s young hopefuls. The Amazones left Côte d’Ivoire with a crucial point in their pocket, setting the stage for an intense return leg back home.

A clash of equals under Abidjan’s lights

The match lived up to the hype, delivering a fast-paced, physically demanding battle between two rising squads. From the first whistle, the Ivorian side—fueled by their home crowd’s energy—pushed hard to dictate the tempo. But the Beninese defense stood firm, refusing to fold under pressure even after conceding early.

The hosts struck first, but the Amazones didn’t blink. Their tactical discipline and never-say-die attitude kept them in the game, proving they weren’t about to roll over for anyone. A late equalizer sealed the draw, a result that speaks volumes about their character.

Scoring away from home: a game-changer

In knockout tournaments, away goals matter—a lot. By finding the net in Ivory Coast, the Beninese side did more than just salvage a point; they gave themselves a real shot at advancing. A clean sheet or even a narrow win back in Benin could be enough to send them through to the next round.

« These girls have fire in their bellies. Coming from behind in Abidjan isn’t easy, but they did it. Now, we’ve got to keep our focus and finish what we started on home soil, » shared a member of the technical staff, clearly impressed by the team’s resilience.

Home advantage awaits

With the score tied, all eyes are now on the return match in Togo. A modest draw or a narrow victory would do the trick, turning the Amazones into the first team to punch their ticket. And if the home fans show up in force—like they did against Côte d’Ivoire—they might just get the lift they need to make it happen.

The stage is set. Will the Amazones turn this golden opportunity into a historic milestone? Only time will tell.