Hosts Morocco, Algeria Reach WAFCON Quarter-finals; Senegal and Kenya Eliminated

Hosts Morocco, Algeria Reach WAFCON Quarter-finals; Senegal and Kenya Eliminated

By BSN Sports 

Hosts Morocco and Algeria have secured places in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after the conclusion of Group A fixtures on Monday night, while Senegal and Kenya were eliminated from the tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Morocco finished top of the group after playing out a goalless draw against Senegal at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat in a match highlighted by a dramatic penalty incident.

The Atlas Lionesses were awarded a penalty, with Yasmin Mrabet stepping up to take the spot-kick. Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye made the save, but the referee ordered a retake after ruling that the goalkeeper had moved off her line before the kick was taken.

Morocco initially attempted to switch penalty takers, with captain Ghizlane Chebbak preparing to take the retake. However, the referee insisted that Mrabet must retake the penalty. Ndiaye again denied the Moroccan defender, preserving the deadlock and earning Senegal a point.

Despite the draw, Senegal's four-point haul was not enough to secure qualification. Ranked 79th in the world, the Teranga Lionesses exited the competition at the group stage after reaching the quarter-finals in both the 2022 and 2024 editions.

The result also extended Senegal's winless record against Morocco, having failed to register either a victory or a goal in seven meetings between the two sides.

In the other Group A fixture at the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Algeria defeated Kenya 2-0 to book their place in the last eight.

Marine Dafeur opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Lynda Bendris doubled Algeria's advantage nine minutes later to seal a comfortable victory for the Fennecs.

The defeat ended Kenya's campaign without a point. The Harambee Starlets, ranked 128th in the world, also exited at the group stage during their previous WAFCON appearance in 2016.

Algeria, ranked 74th globally and making their seventh appearance at the continental tournament, advanced to the quarter-finals for only the second time, matching their achievement in the 2024 edition.

Morocco topped Group A with seven points, scoring five goals without conceding. Algeria finished second with six points, scoring four goals and conceding once. Senegal placed third with four points, while Kenya finished bottom of the group without a point, scoring no goals and conceding seven.

In the quarter-finals, Morocco will face the runners-up from Group B, while Algeria will take on the Group B winners. Both matches are scheduled for Saturday.

Attention now shifts to the remaining group-stage fixtures. Group B will be decided on Tuesday, with Tanzania taking on Côte d'Ivoire and defending champions South Africa facing Burkina Faso.

On Wednesday, Malawi will meet Zambia, while Nigeria face Egypt in a crucial Group C encounter.

The Group D fixtures conclude on Thursday, with Cape Verde taking on Cameroon and Mali facing Ghana to determine the remaining quarter-final places.