In a heart-stopping final at the Palais des Sports de Ouaga 2000 on Sunday, 6 September 2026, the Bénin women’s national handball team edged Côte d’Ivoire 29–28 to claim the inaugural IHF Nations Trophy for Zone 3. The victory not only secured a historic first title but also earned the Amazones a direct berth at the 2026 African Women’s Handball Cup of Nations.
This triumph etches Bénin’s name in gold in the annals of West African handball. Throughout an intense, fully controlled campaign on Burkinabè soil, the Amazones made history in this debut edition dedicated to senior women’s national teams of the region. The achievement crowns the extensive groundwork laid by the national federations and elevates Bénin among the subregion’s powerhouse nations.
A final packed with suspense
Facing an experienced and sharp Ivorian side, the Béninoises had to dig deep to turn the tide. From the opening whistle, the physical contest was fierce, with neither team able to establish a decisive lead.
The match was decided in the final minutes. Displaying remarkable defensive resilience and exemplary composure in set attacks, the Bénin side preserved a precious one-goal advantage as the final whistle blew.
The reward for a heroic run
This final success capped a memorable tournament for Bénin. In the semi-finals, the Amazones had already made waves by eliminating Nigeria 38–37 in extra time, in one of the most spectacular clashes of the competition.
With this victory, the Béninese players not only lifted the Zone 3 continental trophy but also sealed their ticket to the final phase of the 2026 Women’s African Cup of Nations, scheduled for Tunisia. An ideal showcase to keep flying the national colours high at the highest African level.
