Hosts Morocco strengthened their position in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Algeria in a tense Maghreb derby on Thursday night.
Sanaa Mssoudy scored the only goal of the match in the 84th minute as the Atlas Lionesses found a late breakthrough against a disciplined Algerian side.
Both teams had gone into the fixture with opening victories, Morocco having beaten Kenya 4-0 while Algeria defeated Senegal 2-0, making this one of the most important early matches in the group.
The result means Morocco have now taken six points from their first two matches and are in a strong position in the race for the quarter-finals.
For Algeria, it was a painful defeat after a compact and organised display that kept the hosts frustrated for long periods.
Derby begins with caution
The first half reflected the importance of the match.
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 both sides aware that a victory would place them in a commanding position in Group A.
Algeria’s approach was built around defensive organisation, collective effort and patience, just as coach Farid Benstiti had suggested before the match.
Morocco, meanwhile, tried to take control in midfield and use their technical quality to open spaces, but clear chances were limited.
The intensity of the contest was clear in the number of stoppages and bookings, with Algeria’s Ikram Adjabi and Ines Belloumou cautioned in the first half, while Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj was also shown a yellow card.
The first half ended goalless, leaving the derby finely balanced.
Morocco push after the break
Morocco increased their tempo in the second half as Jorge Vilda’s side searched for the goal that would reward their pressure.
Algeria continued to stay compact, making it difficult for the hosts to find space in central areas.
The tactical battle predicted before kick-off was exactly what unfolded.
Morocco needed patience, while Algeria looked to stay disciplined and wait for moments to break forward.
Vilda turned to his bench as the match moved into its final stages, introducing experienced captain Ghizlane Chebbak in the 70th minute after Ibtissam Jraidi had earlier entered the contest.
Those changes gave Morocco more attacking presence and helped increase pressure on the Algerian defence.
Algeria also made changes, with Boutaleb, Khiril, Bekhaled and Alaouache introduced as Benstiti looked to maintain energy and organisation.
Mssoudy delivers decisive moment
With the game moving towards a draw, Morocco finally found the breakthrough in the 84th minute.
Mssoudy produced the decisive moment, scoring to put the hosts ahead and send the Moroccan supporters into celebration.
It was a vital goal for the Atlas Lionesses, who had been forced to work hard against an Algerian team that defended with concentration for most of the night.
Once ahead, Morocco managed the closing minutes with greater control.
Additional substitutions followed as the hosts looked to protect their advantage and see out a result that could prove important in the final group standings.
Algeria pushed for a response, but Morocco held firm to complete a second successive victory.
Hosts take major step forward
The win puts Morocco in a powerful position on top of Group A with six points and continues their strong start to the TotalEnergies WAFCON on home soil.
Algeria are level on six points with Senegal who earlier in the day defeated Kenya.
SOURCE: CAF ONLINE
