In their opening match of the Women’s AFCON, which runs from July 26 to Aug. 16 in Morocco, Jorge Vilda’s side gave the Kenyan national team no chance, securing a commanding 4-0 victory and earning all three points at Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
Before kickoff, Moroccan artist Karima Gouit opened the continental tournament’s opening ceremony by performing her latest song, Khatini, alongside Moroccan DJ Flomine, in the presence of Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) President Fouzi Lekjaa and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Patrice Motsepe.
Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring in the 20th minute with a low shot, giving the Atlas Lionesses the lead.
Eight minutes later, defender Meriem Atiq doubled Morocco’s advantage with a header from a corner kick. A few minutes later, Ibtissam Jraidi scored the third goal of the match, also with a header.
Just seconds into the second half, Jraidi completed her brace by scoring the Atlas Lionesses’ fourth goal.
For the remainder of the match, the Spanish coach made several substitutions to rotate his squad, giving playing time to other players while bringing fresh legs into the team.
With the victory, Morocco tops Group A with three points, ahead of Algeria, which defeated Senegal 2-0 earlier in the day at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
Atlas Lionesses.. DR
Morocco is hosting the Women’s AFCON for the third consecutive time. The 2026 edition also marks the first in the tournament’s history to feature 16 national teams, compared with 12 previously.
The tournament serves as qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scheduled to take place in Brazil from June 24 to July 25, 2027. The four African semifinalists will qualify directly, while two quarterfinalists will compete in the intercontinental playoffs.
