Morocco laid down an early marker at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a commanding 4-0 victory over Kenya in their Group A opener at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
A brace from Ibtissam Jraidi, alongside goals from Sakina Ouzraoui and Meriem Atiq, powered the Atlas Lionesses to an emphatic victory in front of their home supporters as they climbed to the top of Group A on goal difference ahead of Algeria.
Having finished runners-up in the last two editions of the tournament, Jorge Vilda’s side produced an accomplished display that reinforced their credentials as genuine contenders to lift the continental title on home soil.
For Kenya, returning to the WAFCON finals for the first time in a decade, it proved a difficult evening against one of Africa’s strongest women’s teams.
The hosts dominated possession from the opening whistle, pressing aggressively and moving the ball with confidence as they pinned Kenya deep inside their own half.
Their pressure finally told in the 20th minute when Sakina Ouzraoui found space inside the area before firing a low effort beyond the goalkeeper to hand Morocco a deserved lead.
The advantage doubled eight minutes later through defender Meriem Atiq, who rose highest to power home a header from a corner and leave Kenya chasing the game.
Morocco continued to dictate proceedings and added a third goal before the break, with Jraidi heading home to cap an outstanding first half performance and virtually put the contest beyond reach.
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Any hopes Kenya had of mounting a second half comeback disappeared almost immediately after the restart.
Just two minutes into the second period, Jraidi struck again to complete her brace and extend Morocco’s lead to four goals.
With the result effectively secured, Vilda rotated his squad, introducing fresh legs while maintaining control of possession as the tempo gradually slowed.
Kenya defended more resolutely after the fourth goal but rarely threatened the Moroccan backline, with the hosts comfortably seeing out the match to record an impressive clean sheet.
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The victory moves Morocco to the summit of Group A with three points, edging Algeria on goal difference after the North Africans defeated Senegal 2-0 earlier in the day.
Attention now turns to Thursday’s meeting between Morocco and Algeria, a fixture that could prove decisive in determining who finishes top of the group.
Kenya, meanwhile, must respond quickly against Senegal if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds alive.
The expanded 16-team tournament also doubles as the African qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically, while two beaten quarterfinalists will progress to the inter-confederation playoffs.
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Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda praised his team’s performance after an ideal start to the tournament.
“It’s a good start. When you start a tournament like this, it means you’ve had good preparation. I’m satisfied with what I saw from the team today.”
Kenya coach Beldine Odemba admitted her side must improve ahead of their remaining group fixtures.
“We didn’t have the desired control in the transition phases. We have two matches left against Senegal and Algeria; it’s up to us to correct our mistakes.”
