Morocco and Algeria Dominate WAFCON 2026 Openers as Hosts and Fennecs Make Early Statements

Ibtissam Jraïdi scores twice as Morocco thrash Kenya 4-0, while Algeria end 381-minute goal drought to beat Senegal 2-0 according to Accra Street Journal.

Let me start with a number that tells you everything about the drama and history unfolding at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. Three hundred and eighty-one minutes. That is how long Algeria had gone without scoring in a WAFCON finals match. The drought stretched back years, through tournaments of frustration and near-misses. But on the opening day at the Rabat Olympic Stadium, captain Marine Dafeur stepped up to the penalty spot in the 42nd minute and ended the famine. The Fennecs had broken their curse. And they added a second-half insurance goal to seal a 2-0 victory over Senegal. That is not just a win. That is a release.

Algeria 2-0 Senegal: The Drought Ends

Algeria locked down their three points in Group A by defeating Senegal 2-0 at full-time in the opening match of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Fennecs secured their victory at the Rabat Olympic Stadium following a late insurance goal in the second half.

Captain Marine Dafeur scored the game's turning point in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot, breaking the psychological barrier for the North Africans and shattering Algeria's historic 381-minute WAFCON scoring drought. The relief was palpable. The second goal, added later, firmly sealed the result.

Algeria controlled possession with 52 percent and registered 11 shots, five on target, while Senegal managed eight shots, two on target. The Fennecs completed 148 accurate passes to Senegal's 224, while Senegal recorded 22 defensive interventions to Algeria's 14.

The game turned highly tactical and physical in the final half-hour, with referees issuing two crucial yellow cards to Algerian midfielders attempting to break up Senegal's transitions, ensuring the clean sheet remained intact. Algeria extends their spectacular tournament record, having still not allowed a single open-play goal at the WAFCON finals since 2018.

TotalEnergies Woman of the Match: Mélissa Bethi (Algeria) – Midfielder.

Morocco 4-0 Kenya: Hosts Make a Statement

Hosts Morocco delivered a commanding 4-0 victory over Kenya at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, with Ibtissam Jraïdi scoring twice to seize top spot in Group A on goal difference. The tournament hosts delivered a masterclass performance to announce their intentions.

Forward Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring floodgates in the 19th minute, finishing a well-worked move to give the Atlas Lionesses the lead. Defender Maryame Atiq doubled the cushion with a soaring header from a corner kick just nine minutes later. Star striker Ibtissam Jraïdi put the match entirely out of reach by hitting a quick brace, scoring via a header in the 32nd minute and hammering home a final blow in the 47th minute right after the interval.

Morocco utterly dominated the pace of the game, suffocating Kenya's transitions with a high press and generating 2.03 expected goals compared to Kenya's 0.44. The hosts controlled possession with 65 percent and registered 19 shots, eight on target, while Kenya managed 10 shots, three on target.

The game stayed notably clean despite the heavily lopsided tactical play; neither squad picked up a yellow or red card across the full 90 minutes.

Group A Standings After Matchday 1

Position	Team	Played	Won	Lost	GF	GA	GD	Points
1	Morocco	1	1	0	4	0	+4	3
2	Algeria	1	1	0	2	0	+2	3
3	Senegal	1	0	1	0	2	-2	0
4	Kenya	1	0	1	0	4	-4	0

What the Results Mean

Algeria's victory puts them top of Group A alongside Morocco, who lead on goal difference after their emphatic 4-0 win. Senegal will look to bounce back in their next fixture, while Kenya face a tough task to keep their tournament hopes alive after a 10-year absence from the finals.

The Fennecs' defensive record is remarkable. Since 2018, no team has scored an open-play goal against Algeria at the WAFCON finals. That is a record that will give them confidence as the tournament progresses.

Morocco's attacking display was the standout performance of the opening day. Jraïdi's brace, Ouzraoui's opener, and Atiq's header from a corner showed the hosts can score from multiple positions and in multiple ways. The high press suffocated Kenya and will be a test for every team in the group.

ASJ Bottom Line

Algeria broke their curse. Morocco made a statement. And Group A is already taking shape. The hosts lead on goal difference, but Algeria's defensive record makes them a serious threat. Senegal and Kenya must regroup quickly.

The Women's Africa Cup of Nations is underway. The opening day delivered history, drama, and emphatic performances. The rest of the tournament promises more.