Safi N'Sira Ouedraogo, 18, emerges as Women's AFCON revelation for Côte d'Ivoire | OneFootball

At 18, Côte d'Ivoire forward Safi N'Sira Ouedraogo has lit up the Women's Africa Cup of Nations group stage with two goals and three assists, and now targets the last four when Côte d'Ivoire face Algeria on Saturday.

According to L'Équipe, she finished the game with a head bandage after a clash. She had already struck first and won a penalty in Côte d'Ivoire's 2-0 win over Tanzania on Tuesday.

Born in 2008 in Côte d'Ivoire to Burkinabè parents, she joined Ghana's Right to Dream academy in 2019 at 11 and signed her first professional deal with Nordsjaelland last year.

Nordsjaelland women's sporting director Jessica Davis says Ouedraogo has world-class talent, is a constant attacking threat, and that the club are committed to giving her the best conditions to develop.

After U17 and U20 caps, she was called up this year by Pedros, who threw her in and sees her, with Sery Grace Ruth of Nordsjaelland, as the future for their carefree, expressive play.

Coach Yacine Guesmia calls her a left-footed central striker who has played to the right in a pair, able to dribble, hold up play, add pace and finish, and potentially operate as an inverted winger.

Often used on the right, she has adapted under Pedros. A Cristiano Ronaldo fan, her goal is to become the best African player.

She has attempted 26 dribbles at this tournament. The top three dribblers are all Ivorian, with Rosemonde Kouassi also on 26 and Rébecca Elloh on 20.

Source: L'Équipe

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