Algeria could not have asked for a better beginning to their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations adventure, brushing aside Senegal 2-0 in the tournament’s opening fixture.
A goal in either half proved enough to see off the Lionesses of Teranga and lift the North Africans, at least for now, to the summit of Group A.
The opening 45 minutes was a tense, closely-fought affair, with genuine goalscoring openings hard to come by before Algeria finally found a way through.
Bristol City midfielder Marine Dafeur held her nerve from the penalty spot three minutes before the break, slotting home to reward Farid Benstiti’s side for a bright first-half display.
Senegal came out with more urgency after the restart in search of a leveller, but Algeria stayed compact at the back and remained dangerous whenever they broke forward.
Melissa Bethi wrapped up the points in the 88th minute, applying the finish to a slick team move to make the game safe.
The result puts Algeria in the driving seat in the group ahead of the next round of games, with hosts Morocco set to face Kenya’s Harambee Starlets later on Sunday.
Source: Complete Sports.
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