Senegal’s women’s national team has progressed to the next round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers without playing a match, following Chad’s decision to withdraw from the competition.
The unexpected forfeit grants the Lionesses automatic qualification, but while the outcome is beneficial on paper, it presents challenges for the team.
With two consecutive international breaks passing without any matches, Senegal had been eager to gain valuable game time to build cohesion and sharpen their competitive edge.
The lack of fixtures disrupts their preparations for the 2024 AFCON, set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26, 2025.
Competitive matches would have provided an opportunity for the squad to refine their tactics and improve team chemistry ahead of the tournament.
Now, the coaching staff will need to explore alternative ways to maintain the team’s rhythm and ensure they are adequately prepared for the challenges ahead.
