WAFCON 2026: Hosts Morocco, neighbors Algeria off to a lightning Start

By Angu Lesley

Football Writer,kick442.com-Cameroon

Hosts Morocco and Algeria made dream starts to their 2026 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaigns, recording convincing victories on the tournament’s opening day to take early control of Group A in Rabat.

Morocco thrilled their home supporters with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Kenya, while Algeria earlier defeated Senegal 2-0 to begin their campaign on a winning note.

The Atlas Lionesses wasted little time stamping their authority on the contest against Kenya. Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Maryame Atiq doubled Morocco’s advantage nine minutes later. Ibtissam Jraïdi added a third in the 32nd minute as the hosts raced into a commanding 3-0 lead by half-time.

Jraïdi completed her brace just two minutes after the restart, scoring in the 47th minute to cap a dominant display from Jorge Vilda’s side. Morocco controlled possession throughout the encounter, created the better chances and rarely allowed Kenya an opportunity to threaten, underlining their credentials as one of the favourites to win the title on home soil.

Earlier in the day, Algeria also enjoyed a comfortable afternoon as they beat Senegal 2-0 in the tournament’s opening fixture. The Fennecs broke the deadlock through Marine Dafeur, who calmly converted a penalty late in the first half after Algeria had enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges.

Senegal attempted to mount a response after the interval, but Algeria remained compact defensively before sealing the victory in the closing minutes when Mélissa Bethi found the back of the net to secure all three points.

The results leave Morocco and Algeria level on three points after the first round of matches, with Morocco topping Group A courtesy of their superior goal difference. Kenya and Senegal will now be aiming to bounce back in their second group fixtures, while Morocco and Algeria prepare for a clash that could determine the group’s early leaders.

The opening-day victories also reinforce the ambitions of both North African nations, with Morocco chasing a first-ever WAFCON crown on home soil and Algeria seeking to build on an encouraging start in their bid to reach the knockout stage.