Morocco and Algeria have advanced from Group A at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the hosts finishing first after a goalless draw against Senegal and Algeria claiming second place with a 2-0 win over Kenya.
Morocco ended their group campaign with seven points from three matches. They had won their opening two fixtures and were aiming to complete the group stage with a perfect record, but Senegal produced a determined performance to earn a point.
Algeria finished on six points after recovering from defeat in their opening match with two successive victories. Their final win, against Kenya, confirmed their place in the next stage alongside Morocco.
Senegal’s campaign ended despite a strong response to their opening-day loss. They beat Kenya and then held Morocco to a draw, but the points dropped in their first match ultimately proved decisive.
Kenya finished bottom of the group without scoring. It was their poorest record in their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations appearances.
Morocco had begun the match against Senegal with the intention of taking all three points. The Atlas Lionesses applied sustained pressure from the opening whistle, searching for an early breakthrough, but Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye repeatedly kept them out.
Ndiaye was central to Senegal’s resistance throughout the match and made several important saves. Her most significant contribution came in the second half, when she twice denied Morocco from the penalty spot.
In the 64th minute, Ugandan referee Shamirah Nabadda awarded Morocco a penalty after ruling that Mareme Babou had committed a foul inside the area. Yasmin Mrabet stepped forward to take the spot-kick, but Ndiaye bravely saved it.
The referee ordered the penalty to be retaken after deciding that Ndiaye had moved before the kick was taken. However, the Senegal goalkeeper responded again, making another save and preserving the scoreless draw.
Morocco continued to attack after the double setback, but Senegal’s organised defence stood firm. Ndiaye’s composure and repeated interventions frustrated the hosts, who were unable to find the goal that would have given them a third consecutive victory.
The result represented one of Senegal’s best performances of the tournament, but it could not erase the damage caused by their opening fixture. Their 2-0 defeat by Algeria left them needing results elsewhere as they attempted to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
Algeria’s victory over Kenya ensured that Senegal’s late improvement was not enough. With Morocco taking first place on seven points and Algeria finishing second on six, the two sides claimed the Group A qualification places.
