Algeria secured their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a commanding 2-0 victory over Kenya.
Algeria advanced as the Group A runners-up with 6 points, finishing just behind host nation Morocco, while Kenya exited the tournament with zero points, extending their winless streak at the WAFCON stage on the back of a first tournament appearance for ten years.
As the world braces itself for group B action on Tuesday, Striver.Football highlights the key talking points from matchday nine of the ongoing WAFCON 2026.
1. Algeria Deliver Under Pressure To Reach The Quarter-Finals
Facing a strict, high-pressure scenario on the final matchday, Farid Benstiti’s squad executed their tactical game plan with remarkable composure.
Rather than allowing the anxiety of elimination to dictate their tempo, Algeria established total structural control early, effectively putting the game to bed within the opening 23 minutes.
First-half strikes from captain Marine Dafeur and forward Lynda Bendris allowed Algeria to establish a comfortable cushion before shifting into a game-management phase.
Benstiti’s side absorbed second-half pressure seamlessly, recycling possession in non-threatening areas and managing the clock to lock down their second victory of the tournament.
2. Marine Dafeur Inspires Algeria Again
Algerian captain Marine Dafeur once again proved why she is widely regarded as one of the premier technical set-piece specialists on the continent.
In the 14th minute, with Kenya attempting to settle into a medium defensive block, Dafeur stepped up and unleashed a spectacular, long-range left-footed free-kick that curled cleanly over the wall and past Kenyan goalkeeper Lilian Awuor.
Dafeur’s moment of individual brilliance broke Kenya’s early defensive shape and provided Algeria with immediate tactical control.
Beyond her scoring capability, Dafeur’s ability to dictate tempo from deep-lying positions and deliver pinpoint dead-ball deliveries remains Algeria's single most dangerous weapon heading into the knockout rounds.
3. Algeria's Defence Delivers Another Clean Sheet
While Algeria controlled the opening period, Kenya came out with a far more aggressive, direct attacking setup in the second half.
Beldine Odemba’s Harambee Starlets committed additional bodies forward, attempting to exploit wide channels and force turnovers through high-intensity physical duels.
However, Algeria’s backline, marshalled brilliantly by Roselene Khezami and Morgane Ikene, demonstrated exceptional positional discipline.
The Fennecs closed down central passing lanes, neutralised aerial deliveries into the box, and protected goalkeeper Chloé Yamina N'Gazi.
By absorbing Kenya's offensive surges without fracturing, Algeria preserved a crucial clean sheet, demonstrating the defensive stability required for deep knockout runs.
4. Kenya's WAFCON Journey Ends In Disappointment
For Kenya’s Harambee Starlets, the 2026 WAFCON ends in acute heartbreak. Making their first appearance at the continental showpiece since 2016, Beldine Odemba’s squad leaves Morocco without registering a point or a goal following consecutive defeats to Morocco (4-0), Senegal (1-0), and Algeria (2-0).
Despite the scorelines, the Starlets showed genuine structural growth throughout the tournament.
Across matchday nine, Kenya created several clear-cut opportunities, including a Valerie Nekesa chance that drew a fine save from N'Gazi and a long-range effort that rattled the frame.
However, an inability to convert high-probability chances in the final third, coupled with costly defensive missteps in transition, ultimately cut their continental journey short.
5. Morocco And Algeria Dominate Group A
The conclusion of Group A highlighted the tactical gap between North African powerhouses and their sub-Saharan counterparts across the group phase.
Host nation Morocco finished top with 7 points following a dramatic parallel 0-0 draw against Senegal, while Algeria locked down second spot with 6 points.
Senegal, despite amassing 4 points and demonstrating immense defensive grit, highlighted by teenage goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye’s heroic double-penalty save against Morocco, was officially eliminated alongside Kenya.
WAFCON 2026 Matchday Nine: By The Numbers
7: Total points accumulated by host nation Morocco to win Group A without conceding a single goal.
0: Points for Kenya, extending their winless streak to 6 matches across two historical WAFCON appearances (2016 and 2026).
23: The exact number of minutes it took Algeria to score both decisive goals and lock down quarter-final qualification.
0: Goals scored by Kenya across their three tournament group matches in Rabat.
