Rabat – Morocco began their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 4-0 win over Kenya at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Sunday evening.
Sakina Ouzraoui Diki opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Maryame Atiq doubled the hosts’ advantage nine minutes later.
Jraidi added Morocco’s third goal in the 32nd minute, completing a decisive 13-minute period in which Jorge Vilda’s team established firm control of the match.
The striker then scored her second goal just two minutes after the restart, ending any realistic prospect of a Kenyan comeback and securing an emphatic opening victory for the Atlas Lionesses.
Morocco entered the tournament under considerable expectations after finishing as runners-up in the previous two Women’s AFCON editions.
The hosts lost the 2022 final to South Africa before surrendering a two-goal lead in a 3-2 defeat against Nigeria in the 2024 final.
Atlas Lionesses turn attention to Algeria
The win gives Morocco three important points in Group A, which also contains Algeria and Senegal.
Vilda’s team will return to the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Thursday, July 30, to face Algeria in their second group match. Morocco will then conclude the first round against Senegal on August 3 at the same venue.
Kenya, meanwhile, must respond against Senegal in their next fixture. The Harambee Starlets are appearing at the Women’s AFCON for only the second time, having returned to the continental tournament after a 10-year absence.
Kenya’s previous participation came in 2016, when they lost all three group matches. Sunday’s defeat means they are still searching for their first point and first victory in the competition.
For Morocco, the four-goal performance provided an ideal beginning to their attempt to go one step further and win the Women’s AFCON title for the first time.
