Algeria secured a second successive qualification for the quarter-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after beating Kenya 2-0 in their final Group A match at Stade Olympique de Rabat on Monday.
Marine Dafeur opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a superb free-kick, sending the ball over the wall and into the top corner with Kenya goalkeeper Awuor unable to intervene.
Algeria doubled their advantage nine minutes later when Lynda Bendris won possession from a Kenyan defender before lifting a delicate finish over the advancing Awuor.
The result follows Algeria’s 2-0 victory against Senegal in their opening match and a narrow 1-0 defeat by hosts Morocco in the derby. Those results had left the Fennecs well placed to reach the knockout stage, and Farid Benstiti’s side completed the job with a composed display.
Kenya, who finish bottom of the group without a point, created some opportunities but were unable to find a way back into the contest. Chloe N’Gazi made an important save before half-time, while Roselene Khezami produced a perfectly timed recovery in her own penalty area after a dangerous Kenyan attack in the second half.
Jereko then came close to pulling one back late on with a low effort that went just wide of the post. Algeria thought they had added a third when substitute Nihed Naili found the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The victory was overshadowed by two injury concerns for Algeria, with captain Sofia Guellati forced off after only seven minutes. The central defender was caught off balance by a pass from her team-mate Morgane Ikene and was unable to continue.
Ines Boutaleb was also withdrawn early in the second half after limping away from the field. She had been on the receiving end of a challenge by Ochaka, one of four Kenya players shown a yellow card during a match in which some of the visitors’ tackles were mistimed and overly forceful.
Algeria finished second in Group A behind Morocco, who were held to a goalless draw by Senegal. They will face the winners of Group B in Saturday’s quarter-final, with Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Tanzania and South Africa still competing for that position.
The fitness of Guellati and Boutaleb is now uncertain ahead of the last-eight tie, although Algeria can first celebrate another important step in their progress on the continental stage. Their latest qualification confirms the team’s growing status after last year’s historic achievement.
The Algeria-Kenya line-ups were also published as part of the match coverage.
