WAFCON: Hosts Morocco Thrash Kenya 4-0 as Algeria Edge Senegal
Hosts Morocco opened the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in emphatic style on Sunday, thrashing Kenya 4-0, while Algeria secured a solid 2-0 victory over Senegal in the tournament’s first match.
The results leave both North African sides with maximum points at the top of Group A after the opening fixtures of the newly expanded 16-team competition.
At the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, the Atlas Lionesses dismantled Kenya with clinical efficiency. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki opened the scoring in the 19th minute, driving a low right-footed shot into the corner after latching onto a precise through ball from Yasmin Mrabet. Maryame Atiq doubled the lead nine minutes later with a powerful header from a corner. Ibtissam Jraïdi then made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, heading home a looping cross from stand-in captain Hanane Aït El Haj. Just two minutes after the restart, Jraïdi completed her brace, again set up by Aït El Haj, to seal a comprehensive 4-0 win.
Morocco controlled the match with 67 percent possession and 18 shots to Kenya’s eight. Goalkeeper Lilian Awuor made several important saves for the Harambee Starlets, but her defence was repeatedly exposed. Hanane Aït El Haj was named TotalEnergies Woman of the Match for her influential performance and two assists.
Earlier at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, Algeria overcame Senegal 2-0 in a more tightly contested encounter. Captain Marine Dafeur broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute after Korka Fall fouled Amira Braham in the box. Debutant Melissa Bethi, recently signed by Washington Spirit, sealed the points in the 88th minute, shifting past a defender and firing past the goalkeeper after a poor clearance by Senegal’s Khady Faye. Senegal felt they should have been awarded a penalty of their own in the second half when substitute Sokhna Pene was brought down, but VAR declined to intervene.
Algeria’s defence, marshalled by goalkeeper Chloe N’Gazi, remained solid throughout. Senegal coach Mame Moussa Cissé admitted individual errors proved costly and said his side would analyse the performance ahead of their next match.
After Matchday 1, Morocco sit top of Group A with three points and a +4 goal difference, followed by Algeria on three points and +2. Senegal and Kenya are yet to score and sit on zero points.
The 2026 edition marks the first time the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has featured 16 teams, up from 12. Matches are being staged across five venues in Rabat and Casablanca. The tournament runs until 16 August and also serves as a key qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Morocco, runners-up on home soil in the previous edition, are coached by Jorge Vilda and enter as one of the favourites alongside defending champions Nigeria. Kenya are returning for only their second appearance after a 10-year absence and are still searching for their first point in the competition.
Group A continues on Thursday with Senegal facing Kenya and a highly anticipated North African derby between Morocco and Algeria. Group B gets underway on Monday with South Africa against Tanzania and Ivory Coast versus Burkina Faso.
The opening day confirmed the hosts’ credentials while underlining Algeria’s solid start. Both sides now prepare for a crucial midweek clash that could go a long way toward determining qualification for the knockout stages.
