Senegal defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo 4-0 on Sunday in Mohammedia, setting a new record in Group A of the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

In their opening game of the league this year, the Lionesses of Teranga won handily thanks to braces from Mama Diop and Nguenar Ndiaye in the first half.

After making it to the quarterfinals in 2022, Senegal entered the competition with high hopes and quickly established their supremacy.

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With an unrelenting first-half performance, the Lionesses dominated DR Congo, racing to a four-goal lead by the 40th minute and left the returning Congolese team stunned.

As early as the fifth minute, Mama Diop, a striker, grabbed a through pass from Méta Kandé and fired a strong long-range effort into the roof of the net to give the team the lead.

The initial setback to DR Congo’s aspirations paved the way for a resounding Senegalese performance.

Following a precise ball from custodian Adji Ndiaye, Nguenar Ndiaye coolly finished from the heart of the box to double the lead in the thirteenth minute.

The tempo and movement of Senegal’s attack proved too much for the Congolese backline, who struggled to contain the waves of pressure.

By the 22nd minute, Mama Diop had her second — and Senegal’s third — with a composed finish into the bottom corner, capitalising on a defensive lapse.

The fourth came just before the interval, as Ndiaye rose unmarked to head home from a Hapsatou Diallo cross, completing her brace and wrapping up a ruthless first half.

After the interval, DR Congo managed to rally and create multiple chances, forcing Senegal custodian Adji Ndiaye to make a series of excellent saves and hitting the woodwork through Flavine Mawete.

The Leopardesses failed to score, but Gloria Mabomba and Naomie Kabakaba also put the goalie to the test.

In the second half, Senegal reduced their pace, switched up their lineup, and played comfortably while maintaining their clean sheet.

With the win, they take the lead in Group A, surpassing Zambia and Morocco, who drew 2-2 in the first match.

This served as a sobering reminder of the level needed to compete for DR Congo, who had not participated in WAFCON for 12 years.

If they want to maintain their prospects of qualifying, they must win their next game.

Meanwhile, Senegal appears to be a strong possibility for the quarterfinals once more.