Senegal women’s national team boosted their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the first of two international friendlies in Dakar.
The Lionesses of Teranga secured the win thanks to an early goal from Sokhna Nguén Béni, as head coach Mame Moussa Cissé continued to assess his squad ahead of the continental tournament.
The two sides are set to meet again later this week, with the return friendly scheduled for either 16 or 17 April at the same venue, offering Senegal another opportunity to fine-tune their preparations.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd at the Léopold Sédar Senghor Stadium, which opened its gates free of charge, Senegal made a strong start and quickly imposed themselves on the game.
Their aggressive approach paid off almost immediately.
Sokhna Nguén struck just three minutes into the match, scoring what proved to be the decisive goal in a closely contested encounter.
The early breakthrough allowed Senegal to take control of the tempo, although Burkina Faso remained competitive throughout the contest.
Despite further efforts from both sides, neither team was able to add to the scoreline, with Senegal holding on to secure a narrow but important victory.
The match forms part of a broader preparation strategy by coach Cissé, who is using the friendly double-header to evaluate squad depth and improve tactical cohesion ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Senegal have been drawn in Group A for the 2026 tournament, where they will face hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya.
The competition is expected to provide a stern test for the Lionesses, making these preparatory matches a crucial part of their build-up.
The result will offer encouragement to the Senegal camp, particularly given the team’s strong start and ability to maintain their lead.
However, the second friendly presents another important opportunity to build consistency and further refine their approach.
With the return leg set to take place again in Dakar, Senegal will be aiming to build on their positive performance and maintain momentum as they continue their preparations for the continental showpiece.
The focus now shifts to the next encounter, where the Lionesses will look not only to secure another result but also to deepen their tactical understanding and strengthen competition within the squad.
