Algeria booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after a commanding 2-0 victory over Kenya on Monday, while hosts Morocco finished top of Group A following a goalless draw against Senegal.
The North Africans delivered a clinical first-half performance against the Harambee Starlets, scoring twice inside the opening 23 minutes before comfortably seeing out the contest to finish second in the group with six points, one behind unbeaten Morocco.
Captain Marine Dafeur handed Algeria the perfect start in the 14th minute with a stunning long-range free-kick that flew beyond Kenyan goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.
Alegeria celebrate (Credit: CAF Women on X)
Algeria doubled their advantage nine minutes later through Lynda Bendris, whose relentless pressing forced goalkeeper Elizabeth Ochaka into a costly mistake inside the penalty area. Although Awuor managed to get a hand to Bendris’s effort, the ball still found the back of the net.
