Rabat – Algeria opened the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 win over Senegal on Sunday, securing three points in the first match of the expanded continental tournament in Morocco.
Marine Dafeur gave Algeria the lead from the penalty spot in the 42nd minute before Mélissa Bethi added the second goal two minutes from the end of regulation time.
The result placed Algeria in early control of Group A ahead of host nation Morocco’s opening match against Kenya later on Sunday at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
Dafeur’s penalty ended Algeria’s run of 381 minutes without scoring at the Women’s AFCON. Before Sunday’s match, their last goal in the competition had come through Ghoutia Karchouni during a 1-0 win over Botswana in the opening game of the 2024 edition.
Algeria protected the advantage throughout the second half before Bethi secured the victory in the 88th minute.
The midfielder entered the tournament shortly after completing a move from French club Nantes to Washington Spirit, signing a contract with the National Women’s Soccer League side through 2029.
Algeria make strong Group A start
The win continued Algeria’s strong defensive record in the competition. Farid Benstiti’s team did not concede during the 2024 Women’s AFCON, recording four consecutive clean sheets before being eliminated by Ghana on penalties in the quarter-finals.
Sunday’s meeting was the first between Algeria and Senegal at a Women’s AFCON finals. Senegal entered the game after reaching the quarter-finals in each of the previous two editions, but were unable to find a way past the Algerian defence in Rabat.
The result also gave Algeria their fourth win in 20 matches at the Women’s AFCON and their third opening-day win in seven tournament appearances.
Their best result remains the quarter-final finish achieved in the previous edition.
The 2026 tournament is the first Women’s AFCON to feature 16 countries. The teams are divided into four groups, with the top two sides from each section advancing to the quarter-finals. The four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Algeria will next face hosts Morocco on Thursday, July 30, at 9 p.m. at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium. Senegal will seek their first points against Kenya earlier that day at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
