The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON began on Sunday in Morocco with matches in Group A.
In the opening game of the tournament, Algeria got their campaign off to a perfect start with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Senegal in Rabat.
Algeria took the lead when Bristol City midfielder Marine Dafeur calmly converted a penalty three minutes before half time.
The Teranga Lionesses of Senegal pushed for an equaliser in the second half but Algeria remained organised and resolute.
The North Africans landed the knockout punch on their West African rivals with just two minutes of regulation time left as Melissa Bethi sealed the victory in the 88th minute, finishing off a well-worked move.
In the second game, hosts, the Atlas Lionnesses of Morocco walloped debutants, the Harambee Starlets of Kenya 4-0 at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
Ibtissam Jraidi scored twice, while Sakina Ouzraoui and Meriem Atiq were also on target as two-time finalists Morocco produced a dominant performance to set the early standard at the competition.
The result means Morocco who are coached by World Cup winner, Jorge Vilda are top of Group A on goal difference ahead of Algeria.
Morocco will next face Algeria in what is already shaping up to be a decisive contest between the group’s two early leaders while Kenya take on Senegal.
Action continues at the WAFCON on Monday in Group B with former champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa facing Tanzania while Cote D’ivoire confront Burkina Faso.
The expanded 16-team tournament also serves as qualification route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the World Cup while two quarter-finalists will progress to the inter-confederation play-offs.