ALGERIA SHOCK SENEGAL 2-0 TO KICK OFF WAFCON 2026 IN STYLE
Algeria made a statement on day one of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a composed 2-0 victory over Senegal at the Rabat Olympic Stadium on Sunday.
It was a historic night for the North Africans. The win was only their 4th ever at WAFCON in 20 matches, and it ended a 381-minute goal drought in the competition dating back to 2024.
Marine Dafeur broke the deadlock from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute, calmly converting to put Algeria ahead. That goal alone ended their scoring drought, with their last WAFCON goal coming from Ghoutia Karchouni vs Botswana in 2024.
Algeria then held firm defensively – something they did all tournament in 2024 when they kept 4 straight clean sheets – before Mélissa Bethi sealed it in the 88th minute. The midfielder, who just completed a move from French side Nantes to Washington Spirit in the NWSL, came on and finished the job.
WHAT IT MEANS FOR GROUP A
The result puts Algeria level on 3 points with hosts Morocco at the top of Group A after matchday 1. Senegal, quarter-finalists in the last two editions, are bottom alongside Kenya.
It was also the first ever WAFCON meeting between Algeria and Senegal.
Coach Farid Benstiti will be pleased with another clean sheet. His side did not concede a single goal at the 2024 tournament before going out to Ghana on penalties.
WHAT’S NEXT
The group gets tougher fast.
Algeria vs Morocco – Thursday, July 30, at Moulay El Hassan Stadium. A North African derby for top spot.
Senegal vs Kenya – Thursday, earlier that day at Rabat Olympic Stadium. Both teams desperate for first points.
The 2026 WAFCON is the first to feature 16 teams. Top 2 from each group go to quarter-finals, and the 4 semi-finalists automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil