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DC’s tournament representatives tally four starts, three full-90s, one goal
Washington, D.C. (08/07/2026) – Five Washington Spirit players will head off to the quarterfinal round after the third and final group stage matchday of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations this week. Spirit players totaled 390 minutes of playing time and a goal this week, with four earning a start as group play concluded.
Midfielder Deborah Abiodun was once again in Nigeria’s starting lineup for the Super Falcons’ group stage finale against Egypt on Wednesday, playing the full 90 minutes. Forward Gift Monday made her first appearance of the tournament late in the first half as a substitute and quickly made her presence felt with a goal just before halftime. Nigeria took a 6-2 win and advanced to the quarterfinal round. Forward Rosemonde Kouassi played a full 90 minutes for Ivory Coast on Tuesday as her side took down Tanzania 2-1 to qualify for the knockout stage as well.
Two of Washington’s three incoming transfers were also in action this week. Midfielder Mélissa Bethi earned another start on Monday, playing 71 minutes for Algeria as her team took a 2-0 win over Kenya to advance to the final eight. Defender Alimata Bélem started and played all 90 minutes for Burkina Faso on Tuesday but her side took a 0-1 loss to South Africa and was eliminated in the group stage. Midfielder Monique Ngock did not appear in Cameroon’s 1-1 draw against Cape Verde on Thursday but the Indomitable Lionesses still won Group D to move on.
The quarterfinal round will begin tomorrow with Kouassi and Ivory Coast taking on Bethi and Algeria before Abiodun, Monday and Nigeria face off with Ngock and Cameroon on Sunday. The winners of this weekend’s quarterfinal matches will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup while those eliminated this weekend will still have work to do. The Spirit will take the pitch at Audi Field again this weekend when it takes on the North Carolina Courage. Kicking off at 6:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday, August 8, the match’s theme will be Spirit Worldwide: Culture Night. Tickets are available at WashingtonSpirit.com/tickets.
About the Washington Spirit
The Washington Spirit is the premier professional women’s soccer team based in Washington, D.C. and plays at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. The Spirit was founded on November 21, 2012 and is an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) the fastest growing sports league in the US. The club is home to some of the best players in the world who have won championships for bot club and country. For more information about the Spirit, visit WashingtonSpirit.com and follow the club on X, Instagram and Facebook.
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