Algeria made a winning start to their 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign with a composed 2-0 victory over Senegal in the tournament's opening Group A fixture.

The North Africans produced a disciplined performance, scoring once in each half to secure all three points against the Lionesses of Teranga in a tightly contested encounter.

Both sides battled for control during an evenly matched first half, creating few clear-cut opportunities as the defenses held firm. However, Algeria broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute when Bristol City midfielder Marine Dafeur calmly converted a penalty to give her side a deserved lead before the interval.

Senegal responded positively after the break in search of an equalizer, but Algeria remained organized at the back and managed the game effectively.

With the match heading toward its conclusion, Farid Benstiti's side sealed the victory in the 88th minute when Melissa Bethi found the back of the net, ensuring a comfortable opening-day win.

The result temporarily sends Algeria to the top of Group A and gives them an early advantage in the race for a place in the knockout stages.

Attention in the group now turns to the second fixture, where tournament hosts Morocco are set to face Kenya's Harambee Starlets later tonight.

Opinion: Algeria Have Laid Down an Early Marker

Opening matches at major tournaments are often tense, but Algeria handled the occasion with maturity and discipline. While Senegal proved to be a resilient opponent, the North Africans showed patience, took their chances when they came, and defended their lead with confidence.

The victory is significant not only because it delivers three valuable points but also because it boosts Algeria's confidence heading into the rest of the group stage. Starting with a win allows a team to play with greater freedom and belief in the matches that follow.

For Senegal, the defeat is disappointing but not disastrous. There is still plenty of football left in the tournament, and a positive response in their next fixture could quickly revive their hopes of progressing.

As for Algeria, this performance sends a clear message to the rest of the competition—they have arrived at WAFCON 2026 ready to compete and could prove to be one of the tournament's surprise packages if they maintain this level of consistency.