By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
HOSTS ATLAS Lionesses of Morocco Sunday night at the Moulay Stadium in Rabat made a mince meat of Harambee Starlets of Kenya in the 2nd Group A match gulping them 4-0.
Fleet footed Ibtissam Jraidi got the first Brace of the tournament (terminology for scoring two goals in a single match), first which happened to be the 3rd goal of the match in the 32nd minute when Defender Hanane Haji gave her an assist and the 4th goal of the match in the 47th minute through same Hanane.
Yasmin Mrabet had located Sekina aka Seki baby who scored the match opener in the 19th minute before the lone strike of Maryame Atiq in the 28th minute that brought the 2nd goal.
Kenya ranked 128 in the world with their 2nd appearances at the tournament showed lack of experience and guts to face the Moroccans who are ranked 64 in the world and are in their 4th appearances. Morocco were beaten in the 2022 finals by South Africa 2-1 and at the last tournament finals of 2024 by Supet Falcons of Nigeria 3-2.
Morocco had 19-8 shots at goal; 10-3 shots on target and took advantage of their 4-1 big chances which is the hallmark of well trained teams. Morocco seriously dominated the match with 65-35% ball possessions stringing 83-65 passes which is not super; but had 5-2 corner kick advantage. The only yellow card of the match for caution was flashed at Mercy Airo of Kenya in the 90+2 minute for rough play.
Earlier, Algeria had pulled down the ladder, Senegal with 2-0 win in same Group A.
Thus Morocco leads Group A with 3 points scoring 4 goals with a clean slate (language for not conceding a goal in a match); Algeria is 2nd with 3 points and 2 goals with a clean slate too; Senegal is 3rd with no point but conceding 2 goals while Kenta is 4th for now. Only two topmost teams in the group will advance to the quarterfinals.
Tomorrow Monday at 6pm South Africa will take on Tanzania at the Rabat Olympic Stadium while at 9pm Ivory Coast will line up against Burkina Faso at the Moulay Stadium in Rabat for Group B.
On Tuesday at 6pm Zambia will tackle Egypt at Rabat Olympic Stadium while Defending Champions and 10 times title holders, Super Falcons of Nigeria will play debutante Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat at 9pm.
#CAF #WAFCON2026 #UNAF #CECAFA
#RMFF #FKF #AFF #FSF #NFF.
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