By Aderonke Ojo
Algeria began their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on a winning note after defeating Senegal 2-0 in the opening Group A match at the Rabat Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
Captain Marine Dafeur, who plays for Bristol City Women, etched her name into the tournament’s history books by scoring the first goal of the competition from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute.
The Fennecs wrapped up the victory in the 88th minute when L. Moussaka provided the assist for Matissa Bethi, whose finish secured all three points for the North Africans.
Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye became the first player to be booked at the tournament after receiving a yellow card from South African referee Akhona Makalima. Nigeria’s Yemisi Eunice Akintoye served as the fourth official.
Algeria proved more clinical in front of goal, registering five shots on target against Senegal’s two.
Possession was evenly contested, with Senegal enjoying a slight edge at 52.7 per cent compared to Algeria’s 47.3 per cent.
Senegal committed 19 fouls to Algeria’s 11 and received all three yellow cards issued during the encounter. Despite winning three corner kicks to Algeria’s two, the Teranga Lionesses failed to make their set-piece opportunities count.
The two sides had previously met twice competitively in the 2018 WAFCON qualifiers. Senegal claimed a 2-1 victory in the first leg before Algeria responded with a 2-0 win in the return fixture to advance.
Their most recent meeting came in a pre-WAFCON friendly on 1 July 2025, which Senegal won 3-0.
Ranked 74th in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings, Algeria are making their seventh appearance at the WAFCON finals. They reached the quarter-finals at the 2024 tournament before losing 4-2 on penalties to Ghana following a goalless draw.
Senegal, ranked 79th in the world, are appearing in the finals for the third time. The West Africans reached the quarter-finals in both the 2022 and 2024 editions, with their most recent campaign ending in a 4-1 penalty shootout defeat to South Africa after a goalless stalemate.
Group A action continues on Sunday as hosts Morocco face Kenya at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
Monday’s fixtures will see South Africa take on Tanzania in the opening Group B match before Côte d’Ivoire face Burkina Faso later in the day.
On Tuesday, Zambia will meet Egypt in the opening Group C fixture, while defending champions Nigeria begin their title defence against tournament debutants Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
