Senegal, Cameroon Secure Vital WAFCON Victories

Senegal, Cameroon Secure Vital WAFCON Victories

By Niyi Busari 

Seynabou Mbengue scored the decisive first-half goal as Senegal defeated Kenya 1-0 in their CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Group A clash on Thursday to boost their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The victory marked an impressive response from Senegal following their defeat to Algeria and leaves qualification for the knockout stage firmly within their control. Kenya, meanwhile, suffered a second successive defeat and must now rely on the final round of group matches to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Senegal made a bright start and deservedly took the lead when Bineta Seck found Mbengue in space. The forward made no mistake, unleashing a powerful finish beyond goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.

Kenya responded positively and almost levelled before the break when captain Mwanalima Jereko's long-range effort drifted narrowly over the crossbar.

Senegal nearly doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time through Ndeye Awa Casset, but Awuor produced an outstanding save to tip the effort onto the crossbar and keep Kenya in the contest.

The East Africans continued to press after the restart, with Fasila Omondi testing goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye early in the second half before substitute Marion Serenge squandered a glorious opportunity in the 62nd minute by firing wide with the goal at her mercy.

Kenya came agonisingly close to an equaliser in the closing stages when Tereza Obunyu struck the woodwork after cutting inside her marker. The rebound fell to Jereko, whose follow-up effort was brilliantly saved by Ndiaye to preserve Senegal's slender advantage.

Despite sustained late pressure from Kenya, Senegal defended resolutely to claim three valuable points ahead of Monday's decisive Group A encounter against hosts Morocco.

In Casablanca, Ngah Manga scored twice as Cameroon secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mali in an entertaining Group D contest.

The Indomitable Lionesses extended their impressive record against Mali to four wins and one draw in their last five meetings while collecting a crucial three points in the race for a place in the knockout stages.

Cameroon took the lead in the 14th minute when Galatasaray forward Manga expertly controlled a lofted pass with her chest before calmly finishing at the near post.

Mali responded strongly and drew level in the 30th minute after goalkeeper Michaely Bihina brought down Aïssata Traoré inside the penalty area. Traoré confidently converted the resulting spot-kick to restore parity.

After an evenly contested first half, Cameroon regained the lead in the 72nd minute when a VAR review awarded another penalty. Manga stepped up and converted with composure to complete her brace and seal what proved to be the winning goal.

Mali pushed forward in search of a late equaliser, but Cameroon remained disciplined at the back. Substitute Fatoumata Diarra had the visitors' best chance in stoppage time, but her effort lacked the power to trouble Bihina.

The victory strengthens Cameroon's bid for a place in the quarter-finals ahead of Sunday's Group D showdown against Ghana. Mali will look to revive their campaign when they face Cape Verde in their next outing.