Hosts Morocco edged Algeria 1-0 in a tense North African derby, while Senegal kept their campaign alive with a narrow 1-0 win over Kenya.
Mssoudy Settles Fierce Morocco-Algeria Derby
Morocco made it two wins from two matches after Sanaa Mssoudy scored a late winner to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Algeria.
Both teams went into the match full of confidence after winning their opening fixtures. Morocco had beaten Kenya 4-0, while Algeria had defeated Senegal 2-0, making this one of the biggest games of the group stage.
As expected, it was a tight and tactical contest. Algeria stayed organised at the back, just as coach Farid Benstiti had said before the match, frustrating the hosts for long periods. Morocco controlled more possession but struggled to create clear chances during the first half.
The intensity of the derby was reflected in several bookings, with Algeria's Ikram Adjabi and Ines Belloumou, along with Morocco's Hanane Ait El Haj, all shown yellow cards before the break.
Morocco increased the pressure after half-time as coach Jorge Vilda made attacking changes, introducing captain Ghizlane Chebbak after Ibtissam Jraidi had already come off the bench.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 84th minute when Mssoudy found the net to send the home supporters into celebration.
Morocco managed the closing stages well and prevented Algeria from finding an equaliser to seal another valuable three points.
The result leaves the Atlas Lionesses on six points at the top of Group A and in a strong position to qualify for the quarter-finals, while Algeria will have to fight for qualification in their final group match.
Mbengue Fires Senegal Past Kenya
Senegal revived their quarter-final hopes with a determined 1-0 victory over Kenya thanks to Seynabou Mbengue's first-half goal.
After losing to Algeria in their previous match, Senegal knew they needed a positive result and made a bright start.
Their reward came when Bineta Seck picked out Mbengue inside the area and the forward struck powerfully past goalkeeper Lilian Awuor to give Senegal the lead.
Kenya responded well before the break. Captain Mwanalima Jereko came close with a long-range effort before Awuor kept her side in the game with an outstanding save to push Ndeye Awa Casset's effort onto the crossbar.
Kenya continued to push after the restart but struggled to beat Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye.
Substitute Marion Serenge missed a great chance in the 62nd minute when she fired wide with the goal at her mercy.
The East Africans came even closer late in the match. Tereza Obunyu struck the woodwork before Jereko's follow-up effort was brilliantly saved by Ndiaye.
Despite sustained pressure in the closing minutes, Senegal defended well to hold onto their narrow advantage and claim three crucial points.
The victory keeps Senegal firmly in the race for the knockout stages ahead of their final Group A match against hosts Morocco, while Kenya must now win their final fixture and hope other results go their way to keep their tournament alive.
Malawi put one foot in the quarter-finals at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations with an emphatic 3-1 win over Egypt, while Nigeria were able to overcome Zambia 1-0 despite being reduced to 10 players for more than half of the match.
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis is refusing to give up on the possibility of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the Woman's Africa Cup of Nations after drawing 2-2 with Ivory Coast.
Burkina Faso claimed their first win of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their Group B clash in Morocco.
Senegal star Iliman Ndiaye will not leave Everton despite a huge financial offer from Saudi Pro league side Al-Hilal, the player's father Abdoulaye has confirmed.
