Morocco’s women seek to seal knockout place as Senegal face must-win clash

Morocco and Senegal meet on Monday evening in the final round of Group A at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, with the hosts in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals and their opponents needing a convincing victory. The match at Stade Moulay Hassan in Rabat is being covered live with commentary by Afrik-Foot.

The fixture is the latest chapter in one of African football’s emerging rivalries. After the two countries’ youth teams met at the Under-17 Africa Cup of Nations in May, attention now turns to the senior women’s sides, whose contest is also shaped by the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Morocco sit top of Group A, three points clear of Senegal. The Senegalese are third on goal difference behind Algeria, who face bottom side Kenya in the other group match at the same time.

That table leaves Morocco with a significant advantage. The hosts will qualify for the knockout stage provided they do not lose to Senegal by more than three goals.

Senegal, meanwhile, have no margin for error. They need a wide-margin victory to have any hope of reaching the quarter-finals, though their task is made even more difficult by their recent record against Morocco.

The Senegalese have lost their past three meetings with the hosts. That run includes a 7-0 friendly defeat in October 2024, a result which underlines the scale of the challenge facing Mame Moussa Cisse’s side.

Chebbak returns to Morocco starting XI

Morocco head coach Jorge Vilda has made one change to the team that started the previous two group matches. Captain Ghizlane Chebbak comes into the starting line-up after beginning those games on the bench.

Chebbak replaces Kautar Azraf in midfield and will lead the Moroccan side in a match that could confirm their progress to the last eight.

For Senegal, Cisse has selected Anta Dembele and Ndeye Awa Diakhate from the start. Adama Sane and Bineta Seck drop to the substitutes’ bench.

The match brings together two teams with contrasting objectives. Morocco are looking to protect their position at the top of the group and complete their progression, while Senegal must overturn both the standings and their recent head-to-head record in order to continue their campaign.

Algeria’s simultaneous fixture against Kenya could also influence the final order in Group A. Kenya began the evening at the bottom of the section without a point, while Algeria occupied second place on goal difference.

The latest developments from Rabat are being followed live by Afrik-Foot.

Report by Prudence Ahanogbe.