Morocco thrash Kenya to set up group decider with Algeria at Womens Africa Cup of Nations

Morocco launched their home Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 campaign with a dominant 4-0 win over Kenya, setting up a high-stakes Group A showdown with Algeria later this week.

The hosts, playing in front of their own supporters, made an emphatic start to the 14th edition of the tournament, which is being staged in Morocco until 16 August. They were in control from the opening minutes and effectively wrapped up the contest before half-time.

Sakina Ouazaroui broke the deadlock in the 19th minute, capitalising on Morocco’s early pressure to give her side a deserved lead. The advantage was doubled nine minutes later when Maryam Ateeq struck in the 28th minute, further punishing a Kenyan defence struggling to contain the hosts’ attacking movement.

Morocco continued to press and were rewarded again in the 32nd minute, when Ibtissam Jraidi added a third to leave Kenya with a mountain to climb before the interval.

Any hope of a Kenyan response after the break was quickly extinguished. Barely two minutes into the second half, Jraidi found the net again in the 47th minute, completing her brace and sealing a comprehensive victory for the tournament hosts.

The result underlined Morocco’s status as one of the teams to watch on home soil, with their fluid attacking play and clinical finishing providing an ideal platform for the rest of the competition.

Algeria make statement against Senegal

In Sunday’s other Group A fixture, Algeria – regarded as one of the leading contenders for the continental title – recorded a 2-0 win over Senegal to match Morocco’s early momentum.

Former Fleury player Marine Davor opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 41st minute, giving Algeria a narrow lead at half-time after a tight first period.

Algeria remained organised and disciplined after the break, before securing the points late on. Melissa Beethy, the ex-Nantes midfielder who now plays for Washington Spirit in the United States, struck in the 86th minute to double the advantage and secure what was described as an ideal start for the “Desert Warriors”.

The victory not only delivered three points but also underlined Algeria’s attacking quality and composure in key moments, suggesting they will be serious challengers deep into the tournament.

Group A finely poised ahead of Morocco v Algeria

After the opening round of fixtures, Morocco and Algeria sit joint-top of Group A on three points apiece, with identical winning starts putting them in control of the section.

Kenya and Senegal, both yet to collect a point, now face an uphill task to recover in their remaining group matches if they are to stay in contention for a place in the knockout stages.

Attention will now turn to Thursday’s meeting between Morocco and Algeria, a direct clash that is expected to play a decisive role in determining qualification and top spot in the group.

With both sides having delivered eye-catching performances in their first outings, the encounter is being billed as a potentially explosive contest between two in-form teams, each eager to reinforce their title credentials and seize the early initiative in the race for the continental crown.