Morocco and Senegal meet on Monday evening in a crucial Group A match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, with both sides fighting for a place in the quarter-finals.
The match at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat is the third and final fixture in the group stage. Morocco begin the night at the top of the section, three points clear of Senegal, who are third on goal difference behind Algeria. Algeria face bottom side Kenya at the same time, with Kenya yet to collect a point.
Morocco know they can progress provided they do not lose by more than three goals. Senegal, by contrast, need a decisive victory and must also hope the result in the other group match goes their way if they are to reach the knockout phase.
The fixture adds another chapter to one of African football’s emerging rivalries. It follows the meeting between the two nations at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final in the men’s game, while the countries also faced one another at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in May.
Senegal’s task is made more difficult by their recent record against Morocco. They have lost their past three meetings with the Reds and Greens, including a 7-0 friendly defeat in October 2024.
Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda has made one change to the team that started the previous two group matches. Ghizlane Chebbak comes into the starting XI, with Kautar Azraf moving to the bench. Chebbak, who had been used as a substitute in the opening two games, takes her place in midfield.
Senegal coach Mame Moussa Cisse has also altered his line-up, handing starts to Anta Dembele and Ndeye Awa Diakhate. Adama Sane and Bineta Seck are named among the substitutes.
The meeting is therefore shaped by contrasting objectives. Morocco need only avoid a heavy defeat to secure their position, while Senegal must chase a wide-margin win against opponents who have dominated the recent head-to-head record.
With Algeria and Kenya playing simultaneously, the final positions in Group A will be confirmed only after both matches have finished. For Morocco, the focus is on protecting their advantage and completing the group stage at the summit. Senegal must take the initiative from the start and produce one of the tournament’s biggest results if they are to remain in contention for the last eight.
Afrik-Foot is providing live coverage and commentary from the match in Rabat.
