Hosts Morocco became the first team to book a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Algeria, while Senegal kept their qualification hopes alive with a crucial win over Kenya in Group A.
A late goal from Sanaâ Mssoudy in the 84th minute settled a tense North African derby, sending the Atlas Lionesses to six points from two matches and guaranteeing their place in the quarter-finals with a game to spare.
Playing before a passionate home crowd, Morocco dominated possession for long spells but found Algeria difficult to break down. The visitors, buoyed by their opening-day victory over Senegal, frustrated the tournament hosts for much of the contest before Mssoudy finally broke the deadlock six minutes from time.
The victory extended Morocco’s perfect start to the tournament, following their emphatic 4-0 opening win over Kenya, and left the Atlas Lionesses top of Group A with five goals scored and none conceded after two matches.
Earlier in the day, Senegal bounced back from their opening defeat to Algeria by edging Kenya 1-0 in a match they simply had to win to remain in contention for the knockout rounds.
The decisive moment came in the 35th minute when Seynabou Mbengue found the net, giving the Lionesses their first victory of the tournament and their first three points in Group A.
Kenya, making only their second appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, created several promising moments but failed to convert their chances, suffering a second consecutive defeat after losing heavily to Morocco on Matchday One.
With one round of fixtures remaining, Morocco have already secured qualification for the quarter-finals.
Algeria and Senegal are tied on three points and will battle for the remaining qualification place, while Kenya, without a point from two matches, face an uphill task to keep their campaign alive.