Senegal won a first ever game at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, beating Uganda 2-0 in their opening Group A match in Rabat on Sunday.
It puts Senegal, who lost all three games when they competed previously at the 2012 finals, top of the table, ahead of hosts Morocco, who won the tournament’s opening game on Saturday when they edged Burkina Faso 1-0.
Ndeye Diakhate converted a first-half penalty and Nguenar Ndiaye added a second on the breakaway in the second half, awarded after a Video Assistant Referee review, to hand the Lionesses of Teranga victory.
Uganda twice hit the woodwork and missed several good late chances as they had opportunity to equalise but will now need to bounce back against Morocco on Tuesday.
Tall teenager striker Habsatopu Diallo had two early chances but with the first she chose to pass back instead of shoot and, for the second, hit a weak shot with her left foot in the first two chances of the game.
Uganda hit the upright from a corner in the 32nd minute in their first chance but five minutes later saw Aisha Nantongo foul Diallo to concede a penalty.
It looked a soft decision and was not reviewed, allowing Diakhate to tuck away her spot kick.
A weighted ball for Fauzia Najjemba handed Uganda a glorious chance for a 42nd minute equaliser but the chance went abegging.
Soon after the break, Uganda hit the woodwork again as substitute Phiona Nabbumba struck her long-range shot onto the top of the crossbar.
But a minute later a midfield slip allowed Ndiaye to break away, round the goalkeeper and score. She was immediately flagged for offside but after a VAR check the goal was awarded.
She might have had a second goal to her name six minutes later as Uganda’s goalkeeper missed a corner but Ndiaye’s header from virtually under the post somehow went wide of target. She was then carried from the pitch in distress after looking to tear a calf muscle.
The last chances fell for Uganda on the breakaway but on both occasions Fazila Ikwaput was denied by giant goalkeeper Tenning Sene, keeping intact the three points for Senegal.
Senegal are next up against Burkina Faso in Rabat on Tuesday.