Morocco, Ivory Coast, Zambia and Ghana have all moved top of their groups after the opening round of matches at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the host nation delivering one of the standout performances of the first set of fixtures.
Morocco, hosting the tournament, made an emphatic start in Group A with a 4-0 win over Kenya to take an early lead on goal difference. Algeria sit just behind them after a 2-0 victory against Senegal, leaving the Senegalese and the Kenyans bottom of the group without a point after one game.
In Group B, Ivory Coast are the early pacesetters following a commanding 4-1 success over Burkina Faso. Tanzania are second after edging past South Africa 2-1. Both South Africa and Burkina Faso now face pressure to respond quickly when they return to action on matchday two.
Zambia produced the most eye-catching scoreline of the opening round in Group C, overwhelming Egypt 6-0 to take first place in the section. Mali are close behind after a hard-fought 3-2 win against Nigeria, meaning the Nigerians and the Egyptians remain without a point and already playing catch-up.
Ghana lead Group D thanks to a 2-0 victory over Cape Verde. They are narrowly ahead of Cameroon, who began their campaign with a 2-1 win against Mali. Cape Verde and Mali are bottom of the group on zero points going into the second round of fixtures.
Group standings after matchday one
In Group A, Morocco top the table with three points, ahead of Algeria, who also have three points but an inferior goal difference. Senegal are third with zero points, with Kenya fourth, also on zero points.
Group B is led by Ivory Coast on three points, with Tanzania second on three. South Africa are third without a point, and Burkina Faso are fourth, also yet to get off the mark.
Zambia are first in Group C with three points, ahead of Mali, who also have three points but trail on goal difference. Nigeria occupy third place with zero points, while Egypt sit fourth, likewise on zero.
In Group D, Ghana lead with three points, followed by Cameroon on three points in second. Mali are third without a point, and Cape Verde are fourth, also on zero points, after the conclusion of the first round of matches.
