Morocco booked their place in the quarter finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after playing out a goalless draw with Senegal in their final Group A match.
The Atlas Lionesses created the better chances throughout the contest but failed to find the breakthrough, with Yasmin Mrabet missing the same penalty twice after the referee ordered a retake. While Morocco progressed as group winners, Senegal’s hopes ended despite a spirited display, as Algeria claimed the second qualification spot with a 2-0 victory over Kenya.
Senegal made an energetic start and almost stunned the hosts after just two minutes. Seynabou Mbengue launched a curling effort from long range, forcing Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Errmichi into an early save.
Morocco quickly settled into the game and began to threaten. Sakina Ouzraoui met a cut back inside the box in the sixth minute, but Adji Ndiaye pushed her low effort away for a corner. Two minutes later, Ghizlane Chebbak delivered a dangerous free kick that Nouhaila Benzina headed over the crossbar.
Chebbak remained at the heart of Morocco’s attacks. In the 10th minute, she controlled Elodie Nakkach’s through ball before turning sharply inside the box, only to send her effort narrowly wide. Seven minutes later, the captain burst through on a counter attack, but a defender blocked her shot behind for a corner.
Senegal continued to pose problems on the break. Nguenar Ndiaye forced Errmichi into a comfortable save in the 25th minute before another quick attack almost paid off eight minutes later. Errmichi raced off her line to beat Ndeye Casset to the ball and recovered quickly after colliding with a teammate.
The Lionesses of Teranga came closest to breaking the deadlock before the interval. Marieme Bebou picked out Ndeye Diakhate on the edge of the area, and her powerful half volley crashed against the crossbar in the 38th minute.
Morocco responded before half time with Adji Ndiaye producing a brilliant header to clear Hanane Ait El Haj’s dangerous cross. Moments later, Nakkach tested the Senegal goalkeeper again with a powerful strike, but the teams went into the break still level.
The second half opened with controversy. Morocco appealed for a penalty after Sokhna Pene handled a long range free kick in the 52nd minute. The referee awarded only a free kick, leading to heated exchanges between both teams before consulting VAR. After reviewing the incident, she stood by her original decision.
Morocco increased the pressure as the half progressed, with Ndiaye making two important interventions in the 60th and 62nd minutes to deny the hosts.
The breakthrough looked certain when Morocco won a penalty after Marieme Babou fouled Ouzraoui inside the area in the 66th minute. However, Ndiaye guessed correctly and pushed Mrabet’s spot kick away for a corner. The referee then ordered the penalty to be retaken, but Ndiaye produced another outstanding save to deny Mrabet for a second time just two minutes later.
The hosts continued to dominate possession and chances. Ouzraoui produced a brilliant solo run in the 76th minute but drifted too wide before firing off target. Senegal responded with a header from Ndiaye that went wide, while Mama Diop saw her effort blocked by the Moroccan defence.
Morocco pushed relentlessly during the closing stages. Fatoumata Drame made a superb goal saving clearance to deny Chebbak in the 84th minute before Nakkach blasted a long range effort over the bar three minutes later.
The hosts wasted two more opportunities in stoppage time. Benzina failed to convert from close range after meeting a cross inside the box, while Sanaa Mssoudy’s late header drifted narrowly wide to the relief of the Senegalese defence.
Although Senegal produced another determined performance, the draw was not enough to extend their campaign. The Lionesses of Teranga finished third in Group A with four points after their opening 2-0 defeat to Algeria ultimately proved decisive. Morocco finished top of the group with seven points, while Algeria secured second place with six after defeating Kenya.
The Atlas Lionesses now advance to the quarter finals, where they will face the runners up from Group B, with Tanzania currently occupying that position ahead of the final round of group matches.
