Morocco made an outstanding start to their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a commanding 4-0 victory over Kenya at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Sunday evening.
The Atlas Lionesses took control of the contest with a ruthless first-half display. Sakina Ouzraoui Diki opened the scoring in the 19th minute before Maryame Atiq doubled Morocco’s lead nine minutes later.
Jraidi then extended the advantage in the 32nd minute, capping a devastating 13-minute spell in which Jorge Vilda’s side completely took charge of the match and left Kenya with a mountain to climb.
Any hopes of a Kenyan comeback disappeared just two minutes into the second half when Jraidi grabbed her second goal of the evening. Her clinical finish wrapped up an emphatic 4-0 victory and ensured the hosts opened the tournament in the best possible fashion.
Morocco arrived at this year’s competition carrying high expectations after finishing as runners-up in each of the previous two Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. They were beaten by South Africa in the 2022 final before suffering heartbreak again in 2024 after surrendering a two-goal lead in a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Nigeria.
The convincing victory earns Morocco three valuable points in Group A, which also features Algeria and Senegal, and gives the hosts an early boost in their bid to reach the knockout stages.
Vilda’s team will return to the Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Thursday, July 30, for a crucial Group A clash against Algeria. They will then complete their group campaign against Senegal at the same venue on August 3.
Kenya, meanwhile, must quickly regroup before taking on Senegal in their next fixture. The Harambee Starlets are making only their second appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after returning to the continental championship following a 10-year absence.
Their only previous appearance came in 2016, when they lost all three group-stage matches. Sunday’s heavy defeat means they are still searching for their first point and first victory in the history of the competition.
For Morocco, however, the dominant four-goal performance provided the ideal platform as they look to go one step further this year and lift the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy for the first time.
