Hosts Morocco and Algeria have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after finishing first and second in Group A respectively, while Senegal and Kenya bowed out of the tournament.
Morocco secured top spot with seven points after playing out a goalless draw against Senegal in Rabat. The Atlas Lionesses had already booked their place in the knockout stage thanks to victories over Kenya and Algeria in their opening two group matches.
The hosts were handed a golden opportunity to preserve their 100 per cent record midway through the second half when Sakina Ouzraoui was brought down inside the penalty area by Marieme Babou.
Yasmin Mrabet stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Senegal’s teenage goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye emerged as the hero. The 18-year-old produced an excellent save, and although the effort was ordered to be retaken after she was judged to have come off her line too early, Ndiaye brilliantly denied Mrabet again from the second attempt.
Senegal almost stole all three points before halftime when Ndeye Diakhate unleashed a powerful volley that crashed against the crossbar, but neither side could find the decisive goal as the contest ended in a goalless draw.
The result ensured Morocco finished top of Group A with seven points, while Algeria claimed second place to advance to the quarter-finals.
For Senegal and Kenya, however, the tournament came to an end after both sides failed to accumulate enough points to progress to the knockout rounds.
Morocco will now turn their attention to the quarter-finals as they continue their quest to win a first-ever WAFCON title on home soil, while Algeria will also be aiming to build on an impressive group-stage campaign in the knockout phase.
