The opening day of WAFCON 2026 delivered exactly what fans had hoped for: goals, drama and early statements from two of Group A’s strongest contenders. Hosts Morocco produced a commanding display to defeat Kenya 4-0 in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, before Algeria capped off an impressive day with a composed 2-0 victory over Senegal.
Both winners combined attacking efficiency with defensive solidity, finishing Matchday 1 level on three points but separated by goal difference. Morocco’s four-goal performance sent them to the top of the standings, while Algeria’s disciplined approach positioned them as serious contenders for a place in the knockout stage. Meanwhile, Kenya and Senegal now face added pressure knowing their next fixtures could determine whether their WAFCON campaigns continue beyond the group stage.
Morocco 4-0 Kenya: Jraidi Brace Sets the Standard
Morocco gave their home crowd exactly what they came for. Kenya had the first real chance of the match in the fifth minute, when a strike from outside the box crashed off the post, but that scare only seemed to wake the hosts up. Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring in the 19th minute, Maryame Atiq doubled it nine minutes later with a header from a corner, and Ibtissam Jraidi added a third just before the half-hour mark. Jraidi was not done. She struck again two minutes into the second half to complete her brace and put the result beyond doubt. Kenya, back at the tournament for the first time in a decade, made three changes at the break, but the damage was already done.
Algeria 2-0 Senegal: Patience Pays Off
The earlier kickoff between Algeria and Senegal was a tighter affair. Senegal actually had more of the ball for large parts of the match, but Algeria were sharper when it mattered. Captain Marine Dafeur converted a penalty in the 42nd minute after a handball in the box, and Algeria controlled the game from there. Debutant Melissa Bethi wrapped it up in the 88th minute, capitalising on a loose Senegalese clearance to slot home and confirm the win.
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1Day 1 Results
| Fixture | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco vs Kenya | 4-0 | Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat |
| Algeria vs Senegal | 2-0 | Rabat |
2Goal Timeline
| Minute | Scorer | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 19′ | Sakina Ouzraoui | Morocco |
| 28′ | Maryame Atiq | Morocco |
| 32′ | Ibtissam Jraidi | Morocco |
| 42′ (pen) | Marine Dafeur | Algeria |
| 47′ | Ibtissam Jraidi | Morocco |
| 88′ | Melissa Bethi | Algeria |
3Group A Standings
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 3 |
| 2 | Algeria | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | Senegal | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 4 | Kenya | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 0 |
Morocco sit above Algeria on goal difference alone. Both teams meet each other in the next round, a fixture that could decide who tops the group heading into the knockout stage.
4Team Performance Ratings
| Category | Morocco | Algeria |
|---|---|---|
| Attack | 9 | 7 |
| Defense | 8 | 8 |
| Midfield Control | 8 | 7 |
| Set Pieces | 9 | 7 |
| Goalkeeping | 7 | 8 |
| Discipline | 8 | 8 |
| Fitness and Tempo | 8 | 7 |
| Tactical Execution | 9 | 8 |
| Overall Performance | 9 | 7 |
Match Key Takeaway
1. Morocco make an early statement
The hosts delivered one of the most complete performances of the opening day, combining clinical finishing with disciplined defending. Scoring four unanswered goals will give Morocco confidence heading into their crucial meeting with Algeria.
2. Algeria show maturity under pressure
Although Senegal enjoyed long spells of possession, Algeria remained patient and took their chances when they arrived. Their defensive organisation was one of the standout performances of the day.
3. Kenya must recover quickly
Despite the heavy defeat, Kenya created an early chance that could have changed the game’s momentum. Defensive lapses proved costly, and they now face a must-win encounter against Senegal.
4. Group A is already taking shape
After just one round of matches, Morocco and Algeria occupy the top two positions. Their next meeting could determine who finishes first, while Kenya and Senegal are already playing to keep their knockout hopes alive.
What’s Next in Group A
Kenya face Senegal in the second round, both teams already needing a result to keep their qualification hopes alive. Morocco and Algeria then meet in what looks like the group decider, a repeat of two of Africa’s most well-drilled sides going head to head with top spot on the line.
Groups B, C, and D begin their opening fixtures over the next few days, including Nigeria’s tournament opener against Malawi on Tuesday. Follow KakakiNews for full coverage as WAFCON 2026 continues.
Editorial: KakakiNews WAFCON 2026 Coverage Team
Sources: CAF Online, Daily Post Nigeria, allAfrica.com
This article is part of KakakiNews’ comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), featuring match reports, fixtures, standings, player ratings, and tournament analysis.
