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Hosts Morocco made an emphatic start to the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 with a dominant 4-0 victory over Kenya in their opening Group A match at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Sunday.
Ibtissam Jraidi scored twice, while Sakina Ouzraoui and Meriem Atiq were also on target as the Atlas Lionesses overwhelmed the Harambee Starlets in front of their home supporters.
The result sent Jorge Vilda’s side top of Group A on goal difference ahead of Algeria, who beat Senegal 2-0 earlier in the day, CAF reports.
Morocco began with authority and broke Kenya’s resistance in the 20th minute when Ouzraoui drove a low effort beyond the goalkeeper.
Atiq doubled the lead eight minutes later with a firm header from a corner before Jraidi added a third before the interval, also with a header.
The contest was effectively ended early in the second half. Within two minutes of the restart, Jraidi struck again to complete her brace and make it 4-0.
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With the result secure, Vilda made several substitutions to rest key players as Morocco continued to dominate possession.
For Kenya, making their return to the continental finals after a decade away, it proved a difficult introduction against a Morocco side chasing a first title after finishing runners-up in the last two editions.
The victory leaves Morocco top of Group A with three points. Senegal sit third after their opening defeat, while Kenya are bottom of the section.
Morocco will next face Algeria in what is shaping up as a decisive contest between the group’s early leaders, while Kenya must regroup ahead of their match against Senegal.
The expanded 16-team tournament also serves as a qualification route for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four semi-finalists will qualify directly, with two quarter-finalists progressing to the inter-confederation play-offs.
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