Algeria's Confident Start in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations 2026
On July 26, 2026, Algeria kicked off their TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) campaign with an impressive 2-0 victory over Senegal in Rabat, marking a strong start to Group A. The Algerian team showcased their strength, organization, and clinical finishing throughout the match, effectively controlling the game against their Senegalese counterparts.
The opening goal came in the 13th minute when captain Nguenar Ndiaye confidently converted a penalty after a foul in the box, giving Algeria an early lead. Despite Senegal having a slight edge in possession, it was the Algerians who posed the greater threat, creating more dangerous opportunities and forcing the Senegalese goalkeeper into several crucial saves. Algeria’s defense was equally impressive, limiting the Lionesses of Teranga to only a handful of genuine scoring chances.
As the second half commenced, Algeria increased their tempo, demonstrating a relentless pursuit of more goals. Tactical substitutions injected fresh energy into the squad, while Senegal attempted to regain control by introducing offensive changes of their own. However, Algeria’s resolute performance continued to shine through.
The decisive moment came just five minutes before the match concluded when Mélissa Bethi, expertly assisted by Lina Boussaha, doubled Algeria's lead with a composed finish. This goal effectively sealed the match, ensuring that Algeria would start the tournament on a high note. Despite a late surge from Senegal in the dying minutes, Algeria's defense held firm, securing a well-deserved victory.
As reported by cafonline.com.
