Senegal’s women’s team knocked out of CAN 2026 after goalless draw with hosts Morocco

Hosts Morocco secured top spot in Group A with an unbeaten run, while Senegal’s campaign ended in disappointment despite late improvement.

Match ends in stalemate as both teams miss golden opportunity

The Lionesses of Teranga and the Atlas Lionesses played out a tense 0-0 draw at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium, closing the group stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. While Morocco had already booked their quarter-final berth, Senegal needed a victory to progress beyond the group phase.

Under coach Mame Moussa Cissé, Senegal started strongly with a 1-0 win over Kenya but suffered a setback against Algeria before this decisive match. Morocco, on the other hand, had dominated their group with victories against Algeria and Kenya, setting the stage for a potential title challenge.

Morocco remains perfect in group stage, Senegal exits early

The goalless draw sealed Senegal’s fate, ending their hopes of emulating their quarter-final appearances from 2022 and 2024. The team’s inconsistent form—beginning with a 2-0 loss to Algeria—proved too much to overcome despite the late resurgence.

Morocco maintained their unbeaten status, finishing top of the group with three clean sheets. Their disciplined defense and tactical approach kept them in contention for the knockout stages.

What’s next for Senegal’s women’s football?

This early exit marks a setback for Senegalese women’s football, which had shown promise in recent editions. The team will now look to rebuild and address tactical shortcomings ahead of future tournaments.

The Atlas Lionesses, meanwhile, continue their campaign with momentum, eyeing a deep run in the competition.