Hosts Morocco finished top of Group A at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations despite being held to a goalless draw by Senegal in Rabat on Monday.
The Atlas Lionesses went into the final group match aiming for a third successive victory, but Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye produced two crucial saves from the same penalty to preserve a share of the points.
Morocco ended the group stage unbeaten on seven points, one clear of Algeria. The north Africans secured second place and the other quarter-final qualification spot from Group A with a 2-0 win over Kenya.
Morocco controlled much of the match against Senegal and appeared to have a major opportunity to take the lead in the 69th minute when Yasmin Mrabet took responsibility from the penalty spot.
Ndiaye read the attempt correctly and kept the ball out. Mrabet was then given another chance after the referee ordered the penalty to be retaken, but the Senegal goalkeeper again guessed the right way to make a second outstanding save.
Those consecutive stops became the defining sequence of the match, leaving Morocco frustrated in front of their home supporters as Senegal held on for a valuable point.
Despite failing to claim maximum points, Jorge Vilda’s team completed the group stage without defeat and maintained their impressive defensive record. The result was enough to preserve Morocco’s position at the top of the section.
Algeria’s victory over Kenya ensured they advanced as Group A runners-up. Senegal finished third with four points, while Kenya ended their campaign without registering a point.
Morocco will now prepare for the quarter-finals, where they are due to meet the runners-up from Group B. That group features Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania and South Africa.
The draw means Morocco remain in contention on home soil, although their failure to beat Senegal denied them the perfect finish to the opening stage. Instead, Ndiaye’s penalty double ensured the hosts had to settle for a point and rely on their earlier results to secure first place.
For Senegal, the result brought their group campaign to a close in third position. They were unable to progress despite frustrating Morocco for long periods and producing the key moment of the match through Ndiaye’s work from the penalty spot.
Algeria’s success against Kenya ultimately settled the qualification places behind Morocco. With seven points, the hosts topped Group A, while Algeria moved through in second on six. Senegal collected four points and Kenya finished bottom without one.
