By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
THE FENNECS of Algeria on Sunday at the Rabat Olympic Stadium in Morocco opened their campaign to win the Group A stanza of the 14th WAFCON2026 with a 2-0 win over the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal
Algerian captain, Marine Dafeur who plays midfield for Bristol City FC women made history scoring the tournament 1st goal via penalty in the 42nd minute before L. Moussaka found Matissa Bethi in the 88th minute to cage the Lionesses in the 2nd goal.
31-year-old Nguenar Ndiaye of Senegal is the first player to bag a yellow in the tournament flashed by Ref Akhona Makalima. Ref Yemisi of Nigeria was the 4th official at the game.
Algeria had 5-2 shots at goal but ball possessions was like even with 47.3-52.7% for Algeria that had 11-19 foul calls but Senegal bagged all the 3 yellow cards meant for caution in the game even as the Senegalese could not make use of their set pieces advantage in a 3-2 corner kicks awarded.
Both sides only met twice at competitive level in the WAFCON qualifier played on 4th April 2018 that Senegal won the 1st leg 2-1 but the 2ng leg played on 10th April of 2018 was won 2-0 by Algeria.
The last time both sides met during pre WAFCON friendly of 1st July 2025 Senegal won 3-0.
Algeria ranked 74 in the world is appearing at WAFCON final tournament for the 7th time of which they made the quarterfinals at the last tournament of 2024 where they lost via penalty shootouts 4-2 to Ghana after a goalless full time.
Senegal ranked 79 in the world is at WAFCON final tournament for the 3rd time making the quarterfinals twice in 2022 and 2024. Senegal also lost via penalty shootouts 4-1 to South Africa after a goalless full time in 2024.
Hosts Morocco is meeting Kenya at 9pm tonight at the Moulay Stadium in Rabat for the 2nd group A game.
Tomorrow Monday at 6pm South Africa will take on Tanzania at 6.00pm at the Rabat Olympic Stadium in group B opening game before Ivory Coast will line up against Burkina Faso at 9pm at the Moulay Stadium.
On Tuesday Zambia faces Egypt for Group C opener at 6pm at Rabat Olympic Stadium before the Defending champions, Super Falcons of Nigeria will play debutante Malawi Scorchers at 9pm at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat.
#CAF #2026WAFCON #UNAF
#WAFU #AFF #FSF #NFF.
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