* Which they need to emphatically win to advance to quarterfinals as they share 3 points with Algeria, whom they lost 0-2 to
* The Lionesses of Teranga narrowly beat Harambee Starlets 1-0 last Thursday evening while Morocco also recorded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Algeria
Maravi Express
The last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAfCON) 2026 Group A match on Monday between the hosts Morocco will certainly be an intriguing encounter coming on the heels of the controversial men’s AfCON final in January.
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It is a match the Lionesses of Teranga need to emphatically win as they share 3 points with 2nd-placed Algeria, whom they lost 0-2 to in opening game.
Last evening, they narrowly beat Kenya’s Harambee Starlets 1-0 while the hosts also registered a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their north African rivals.
Kenya, who lost 0-4 to Morocco, are without a point ahead of their last match against Algeria, which they will badly win to salvage some pride in the first appearance after a 10-year absence.
In their match against Senegal, they went down to Senegal through a lone goal from Seynabou Mbengue in the first half strike.
Meanwhile, the hosts Morocco strengthened their position in Group A from the lone goal scored by Sanaa Mssoudy in the 84th minute against a disciplined Algerian side.
It was a painful defeat for Algeria after a compact and organised display that kept the hosts frustrated for long periods.
Morocco had home support behind them, but Algeria were determined not to allow the hosts to settle into an easy rhythm.
The match was physical and tactical with Algeria’s approach built around defensive organisation, collective effort and patience.
Morocco, meanwhile, tried to take control in midfield and use their technical quality to open spaces, but clear chances were limited.
This evening, WAfCON 2022 champions South Africa find themselves between a rock and a hard place in their Group B encounter against in-form Côte d’Ivoire.
Banyana Banyana, who fell to Tanzania in a 2-1 loss in their tournament opening fixture, are desperate to return to winning ways when they face the West Africans who kickstarted their campaign with a 4-1 victory over 10-woman Burkina Faso.
The disappointing result sent shockwaves across the continent and served as a wakeup call for the 2022 winners, who are eyeing a third straight slot at the FIFA Women’s World Cup that will be held in Brazil next year.
South Africa are one of only two teams to feature in every single edition of the WAfCON — competing in their 14th consecutive edition and bringing with them not only experience but flair, pedigree and an understanding of the stakes at hand.
Banyana Banyana have not won their last three matches against West African opponents, recording two draws and one defeat in open play.
They defeated Senegal on penalties in the quarterfinals at the last edition in 2025, lost to Nigeria in the semifinals and were beaten by Ghana on penalties in the third-place play-off.
In the other Group B match, Tanzania — with three points in the bag already — are looking to build on their well-deserved victory against South Africa as they look towards taking a step to the knockout stages.
Confidence amidst humility is what best describes the mood within the Twiga Stars camp they face Burkina Faso that could define the trajectory of women’s football in the East African country.
Tanzania, who are competing in only their third WAfCON, managed their first ever point in competition history in last year’s edition following a 1-1 draw with South Africa.
They brought that experience into this year’s edition, this time winning 2-1 against the same side — and now on the cusp of history, they come up against a desperate Burkina Faso side, who lost 4-1 to their neighbours Côte d’Ivoire in the opener.—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express
Results and fixtures (kick-off times CAT beamed live on SuperSport live on DStv Channel 225 (https://dstv.stream) and on GOtv Channel 61 (https://gotv.stream):
Group stages
Group A
Algeria 2-0 Senegal
Morocco 4-0 Kenya
Thursday, July 30
Senegal 1-0 Kenya
Morocco 1-0 Algeria
Monday, August 3
Senegal v Morocco (22h00)
Kenya v Algeria (22h00)
Group B
South Africa 1-2 Tanzania
Côte d’Ivoire 4-1 Burkina Faso
Today, July 31
South Africa v Côte d’Ivoire (19h00)
Burkina Faso v Tanzania (22h00)
Tuesday, August 4
Burkina Faso v South Africa (22h00)
Tanzania v Côte d’Ivoire (22h00)
Group C
Zambia 6-0 Egypt
Nigeria 3-2 Malawi
Saturday, August 1
Egypt v Malawi (19h00)
Nigeria v Zambia (22h00)
Wednesday, August 5
Egypt v Nigeria (22h00)
Malawi v Zambia (22h00)
Group D
Today, July 29
Ghana 2-0 Cape Verde
Cameroon 2-1 Mali
Sunday, August 2
Ghana v Cameroon (19h00)
Mali v Cape Verde (22h00)
Thursday, August 6
Mali v Ghana (22h00)
Cape Verde v Cameroon (22h00)
Quarterfinals
Saturday, August 8
QF 2: Winner Group B v 2nd Place Group A (19h00)
QF 1: Winner Group A v 2nd Place Group B (22h00)
Sunday, August 9
QF 4: Winner Group D v 2nd Place Group C (19h00)
QF 3: Winner Group C v 2nd Place Group D (22h00)
Semifinals
Wednesday, August 12
SF2: Winner QF2 v Winner QF3 (19h00)
SF1: Winner QF1 v Winner QF4 (22h00)
World Cup 2027 play-off matches
Thursday, August 13
Loser QF2 v Loser QF3 (19h00)
Loser QF1 v Loser QF4 (22h00)
Third place play-off
Saturday, August 15
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2 (19h00)
WAfCON 2026 final
Sunday, August 16
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2 (Moulay Hassan Stadium or Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, (21h00)
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