Morocco strengthened their position in Group A of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Algeria on Thursday evening. The decisive moment came late when Sanaa Mssoudy broke the deadlock in the 84th minute to give the Atlas Lionesses a vital three points.
Match in brief
The fixture carried extra weight: both sides had opened the tournament with wins, Morocco beating Kenya 4-0 and Algeria overcoming Senegal 2-0. That context contributed to a cautious, tactical encounter in which clear-cut chances were at a premium.
- Final score: Morocco 1–0 Algeria
- Goal: Sanaa Mssoudy (84')
- Both teams had won their opening games, making this a key group encounter
How the game unfolded
The opening 45 minutes reflected the significance of the tie. Morocco enjoyed the backing of the home crowd and looked to control possession through midfield, while Algeria set up with a compact, disciplined defensive shape aimed at frustrating the hosts. The match was physical and tactical: stoppages and bookings interrupted fluid play and limited rhythm for both sides.
After the interval Morocco increased the tempo, searching for a breakthrough. Algeria remained well organised, seeking to absorb pressure and exploit chances on the counter. After prolonged passages where the visitors kept the hosts at bay, the deadlock was finally broken when Mssoudy found space late on to deliver the decisive finish.
Group implications
The result leaves Morocco on six points from two matches and in a strong position to advance to the quarter-finals. Algeria, having won their opener, remain with three points and will need a positive result in their remaining fixtures to keep qualification hopes alive.
| Team | Matches | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 2 | 6 |
| Algeria | 2 | 3 |
| Keny a | 1 | 0 |
| Senegal | 1 | 0 |
For Algeria it was a frustrating evening: a compact and organised defensive display kept Morocco at bay for long periods but ultimately they conceded late. For Morocco, the win underlines their ability to grind out results when required and cements their early control of Group A.
Further fixtures and the remaining group results will determine who joins Morocco in the knockout stages, but Thursday’s match has already shifted the balance in the hosts’ favour.
