A costly mistake by Senegal goalkeeper Khady Faye helped Algeria begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 2-0 victory on Sunday in Rabat.
Melissa Bethi sealed the win in the 88th minute after capitalising on Faye’s poor clearance, while Algeria had earlier taken the lead through captain Marine Dafeur, who converted a controversial penalty in the 42nd minute.
The opening Group A fixture saw Senegal start brightly, applying early pressure without testing the Algerian defence.
Algeria gradually settled into the contest, dominating possession and creating the better chances to earn all three points.
Ranked one place above Senegal in Africa and five spots higher in the FIFA rankings, Algeria entered the encounter as slight favourites.
Their opener came after South African referee awarded a penalty for what appeared to be minimal contact between Senegal captain Korka Fall and Amira Braham.
Following a VAR review, the decision stood, and Bristol City midfielder Dafeur calmly fired a left-footed effort into the bottom-right corner.
Senegal believed they should have been awarded a penalty shortly before the hour mark when Tall Pene went down under a challenge from Lana Smits, but the referee waved away appeals.
The West Africans’ hopes of mounting a comeback ended late in the game when Faye’s weak clearance was intercepted. Algeria quickly worked the ball to Bethi, who finished with a low strike to wrap up victory.
Attention now turns to the other Group A fixture, with tournament hosts and two-time runners-up Morocco taking on Kenya later on Sunday.
Meanwhile, record 10-time champions Nigeria will begin their Group C campaign on Tuesday against Malawi, whose attack is spearheaded by sisters Tabitha Chawinga of Lyon and Temwa Chawinga of Kansas City Current.
