Algeria ended their 381-minute WAFCON scoring drought with a first-half penalty before adding a second-half insurance goal to secure a 2-0 victory over Senegal in their Group A opener at the Rabat Olympic Stadium
Algeria locked down their three points in Group A by defeating Senegal 2-0 at full-time in the opening match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The Fennecs secured their victory at the Rabat Olympic Stadium following a late insurance goal in the second half.
Captain Marine Dafeur scored the game’s turning point in the 42nd minute from the penalty spot, breaking the psychological barrier for the North Africans and shattering Algeria’s historic 381-minute WAFCON scoring drought. They added a second goal in the latter half of the match to firmly seal the result.
📢 GET A DETAILED ARTICLES + JOBS
Join ASJ's WhatsApp Channel and never miss a post or opportunity.
Algeria controlled possession with 52 percent and registered 11 shots, five on target, while Senegal managed eight shots, two on target. The Fennecs completed 148 accurate passes to Senegal’s 224, while Senegal recorded 22 defensive interventions to Algeria’s 14.
The game turned highly tactical and physical in the final half-hour, with referees issuing two crucial yellow cards to Algerian midfielders attempting to break up Senegal’s transitions, ensuring the clean sheet remained intact. Algeria extends their spectacular tournament record, having still not allowed a single open-play goal at the WAFCON finals since 2018.
Algeria’s victory puts them top of Group A, while Senegal will look to bounce back in their next fixture.
TotalEnergies Woman of the Match: Mélissa Bethi (Algeria) – Midfielder
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on July 26, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
🏟️ Discover More Sports Stories
Looking for more in-depth sports news, interviews, and features? Visit Accra Sports News — your go-to for exclusive sports content in Ghana and beyond.
Disclaimer: Some content on Accra Street Journal may be aggregated, summarized, or edited from third-party sources for informational purposes. Images and media are used under fair use or royalty-free licenses. Accra Street Journal is a subsidiary of SamBoad Publishing Hub under SamBoad Business Group Ltd, registered in Ghana since 2014.
For concerns or inquiries, please visit our Privacy Policy or Contact Page.
Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
