Senegal revived their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kenya on Thursday, thanks to Seynabou Mbengue’s first-half strike. The FC Metz forward scored the decisive goal in the 30th minute as Senegal recovered from their opening defeat to Algeria to claim three vital points in Group A and stay in the race for a place in the quarter-finals.
Kenya made the brighter start and created the first clear openings of the match. Lorna Nyarinda tested the Senegal defence with a long-range effort before sending another dipping strike narrowly over the crossbar. Moments later, the Harambee Starlets nearly took advantage of a counterattack when Terry Engesha attacked a loose ball inside the penalty area. Senegal goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye injured herself while attempting to clear the danger but recovered after receiving treatment.
As the first half progressed, Senegal gradually settled into the contest. The Lionesses pushed forward on several occasions, although Kenya’s defence remained solid. Nguenar Ndiaye thought she had found an opening from a cut-back cross, but the assistant referee raised the flag for offside.
Kenya goalkeeper Lilian Awuor was finally called into action in the 27th minute. She punched away a dangerous cross before comfortably collecting Sokhna Pene’s effort from outside the area. Shortly afterwards, Wolimata Ndiaye required medical attention after hurting her wrist during a challenge with Fasila Adhiambo.
Senegal eventually made their pressure count through a swift counterattack. Pene carried the ball from midfield before finding Ndeye Casset, who shrugged off Ruth Ingosi and drove forward. Casset then slipped a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Seynabou Mbengue, who calmly fired a powerful finish across goal to hand Senegal a 1-0 lead.
Kenya almost conceded a second goal before the break when Casset unleashed a close-range effort that Euphraiser Shiltwatso nearly diverted into her own net. However, Awuor reacted brilliantly, tipping the ball onto the post before collecting the rebound. At the other end, Fasila Adhiambo’s half-volley failed to trouble Adji Ndiaye, who gathered safely.
Senegal continued to threaten after the restart. Substitute Mama Diop nearly doubled the lead with a header that drifted just wide, while Ndiaye attempted to surprise Awuor with a bouncing effort from distance.
Despite trailing, Kenya remained dangerous. Engesha constantly stretched the Senegal defence and almost forced an equaliser after closing down Adji Ndiaye, who hurriedly cleared the ball behind for a corner. Engesha later tried to release substitute Marion Serenge, but the pass ran away from her before another low effort flashed just wide of the post.
The Harambee Starlets piled on the pressure midway through the second half. Ruth Ingosi rattled the crossbar with a powerful strike, Engesha struck the post moments later, and Serenge saw another promising chance blocked by the Senegal defence.
Senegal looked to ease the pressure through efforts from Ndiaye and Pene, but Kenya continued to create the better chances. Engesha hit the post again after racing through one-on-one, while Mwanalima Jereko fired straight at Adji Ndiaye.
The Lionesses also wasted opportunities to seal the result. Nguenar Ndiaye broke through the Kenyan defence but shot directly at Awuor, who made an important save. Engesha then had one final chance for Kenya after being sent clear on goal, but she failed to control the ball before shooting into the side netting.
Kenya will feel unfortunate to leave empty-handed after registering six shots on target and producing an expected goals tally of 1.61 compared to Senegal’s 1.40. However, Mbengue’s clinical finish proved enough to separate the sides.
The defeat condemns the Harambee Starlets to a second successive loss following their 4-0 defeat to hosts Morocco, ending their hopes of reaching the knockout stage. Senegal, meanwhile, remain in contention but must now produce a major result against Morocco in their final Group A match to keep their quarter-final dream alive.
