The Senegal women’s national football team has been eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations following a goalless draw with hosts Morocco in Rabat.
An intense final group match ends in disappointment
In the decisive Group A clash at the Stade Moulay El Hassan, both teams played to a stalemate (0-0), securing Morocco‘s top spot and sealing Senegal‘s early exit from the tournament. Despite needing a victory to progress, the Lionesses of Teranga failed to break down their opponents.
Morocco maintains perfect record while Senegal falls short
Morocco, already through to the quarter-finals, entered the match aiming to finish the group stage unbeaten and top of the table. Their previous wins over Kenya (4-0) and Algeria (1-0) had set the tone. Meanwhile, Senegal, under coach Mame Moussa Cissé, required at least a draw to stand a chance of advancing. However, their opening defeat to Algeria (0-2) and a narrow victory against Kenya (1-0) proved insufficient for qualification.
The match itself was a tactical battle, with neither side creating clear scoring opportunities. Morocco‘s solid defense and midfield control kept Senegal‘s attacks at bay, while the latter struggled to convert possession into chances.
A disappointing campaign for the Lionesses of Teranga
This early exit marks a setback for a Senegalese side that had reached the quarter-finals in the previous two editions of the tournament. Their inconsistent performances—despite flashes of promise—ultimately fell short against stronger opposition. The draw against Morocco brings an anticlimactic end to a campaign that had begun with high hopes.
As the host nation progresses as group winners, Senegal must regroup and analyze their performance to build a stronger team for future competitions.