Hosts South Sudan have suffered a 5-0 defeat to Algeria in the first leg first round of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers.

Laura Carine Taleb gave the visitors the lead after 20 minutes at the Juba National Stadium after finishing off with a fine header. South Sudan captained by the experienced Amy Lasu Luaya Lasu tried to fight back to try and level matters, but failed to penetrate the Algerian defending line.

Algeria made it 2-0 after 43 minutes when Lea Soizic Abdoub placed the ball past South Sudan’s goalkeeper Nawal Isaac Majok. In the second half the visitors were awarded a penalty after 47 minutes, but skipper Guellati Sofia failed to convert from the spot. But the Algerians were hungry for more goals and made it 3-0 two minutes later when Naima Bouhani Ben scored.

After 56 minutes, Ghouthia Habiba converted from the spot to make it 4-0. South Sudan defender Dorka Gerald Lokeri got her name on the score sheet with an own goal after 86 minutes when she headed in a well taken Quassila Alduache free-kick.

Seven more teams from the CECAFA Zone will be in action in the first leg of the WAFCON qualifiers with Tanzania taking to the field tomorrow against Equatorial Guinea in Dar es Salaam.

On Friday, Uganda Crested Cranes will host Ethiopia, while Djibouti battle Togo, and Rwanda take on Egypt in Kigali. Burundi will take on Burkina Faso on February 23rd, 2025.

The 2026 WAFCON will be hosted by Morocco.