The Lionesses of Teranga saw their hopes for a quarter-final berth vanish after a 0-0 draw against Morocco in the final group-stage match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium.
An elimination sealed by a goalless stalemate
The clash, which meant little to the Atlas Lionesses already qualified as group winners, became a must-win for Senegal to progress. Yet both teams left the field with nothing to show after 90 minutes of relentless but inconclusive action. The deadlock confirmed the Senegalese side’s early exit from the tournament, a stark contrast to their quarter-final appearances in 2022 and 2024.
A contrasting campaign for the two sides
Morocco, the tournament hosts, maintained their unbeaten run with victories over Kenya (4-0) and Algeria (1-0) before securing the top spot in Group A. Their dominance meant the final match was merely a formality, yet they still pushed for a clean record.
For Senegal, the campaign unfolded as a rollercoaster. A disappointing opening defeat to Algeria (0-2) was followed by a crucial 1-0 win over Kenya. That victory, however, proved insufficient to overturn their fortunes, leaving them stranded in third place with just a single point.
What’s next for the Lionesses of Teranga?
The early exit marks a setback for a squad that had set higher ambitions after back-to-back quarter-finals in recent editions. The technical staff and players will now regroup to address the gaps exposed during this campaign, with a focus on rebuilding for future challenges.
