A blunder by Senegal goalkeeper Khady Faye gifted Melissa Bethi a goal which clinched a 2-0 victory for Algeria on Sunday in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) opener.
Bethi struck on 88 minutes and Algeria also scored late in the opening half in Rabat with captain Marine Dafeur converting a 42nd-minute penalty.
Morocco, hosts and runners-up in the last two editions, face Kenya later on Sunday in the other Group A match.
Senegal created early pressure without seriously threatening to score and Algeria gradually took control with some neat passing to achieve a deserved victory.
Algeria began the match as slight favourites as they are ranked one place above Senegal in Africa and five places higher in the world.
Algeria make a winning start to #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 ✅🇩🇿#HereForHer | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/1ifwO9zWWO
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 26, 2026
The penalty awarded to Algeria late in the opening half by the South African referee was debatable as there was minimal contact between Senegal captain Korka Fall and Amira Braham.
After a VAR review backed the match official, Bristol City midfielder Dafeur struck a left-foot shot into the right corner of the net.
Contact in the box and the referee points to the spot 👀
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) July 26, 2026
Algeria lead at the break - do you agree with this decision? 🤔
📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2026 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc #HereForHer | #SSFootball pic.twitter.com/ahLUwT7vl4
Algerian Lana Smits seemed to commit a similar penalty-area foul on Tall Pene just before the hour mark, but play continued.
Any hopes Senegal had of snatching a draw disappeared when a weak clearance by Faye was intercepted and a quick pass set up Bethi to score with a low shot.
Record 10-time champions Nigeria debut on Tuesday in Group C against Malawi, who boast star forwards in the Chawinga sisters. Tabitha plays for Lyon and Temwa for Kansas City Connect.