Seynabou Mbengue’s first-half strike proved the difference as Senegal claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kenya in their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 Group A clash on Thursday, boosting their hopes of a place in the quarter-finals.
The victory sees Senegal bounce back in impressive fashion following their loss to Algeria, while Kenya’s hopes of progressing now rest on the final round of group fixtures after suffering a second consecutive defeat.
Senegal made a bright start and were rewarded with the breakthrough when Mbengue unleashed a fierce finish that gave Kenya goalkeeper Lilian Awuor no chance.
Bineta Seck provided the assist after picking out her teammate in space, and Mbengue made no mistake with a powerful strike.
Kenya responded positively and came close to restoring parity in the 41st minute when captain Mwanalima Jereko tried her luck from distance, but her effort drifted narrowly over the crossbar.
Senegal almost doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time. Ndeye Awa Casset found space inside the area and looked destined to score, but Awuor produced an excellent save to divert the effort onto the crossbar and keep Kenya within touching distance.
Kenya continued to search for an equaliser after the restart. Fasila Omondi tested Adji Ndiaye early in the second half, but her tame effort was comfortably gathered by the Senegal goalkeeper.
The East Africans squandered a golden opportunity in the 62nd minute when substitute Marion Serenge found herself with the goal at her mercy, only to fire wide.
Kenya threw everything forward in the closing stages and were desperately unlucky not to level. Tereza Obunyu cut inside her marker before sending a low strike against the woodwork.
The rebound fell kindly for Jereko, whose follow-up effort was brilliantly denied by Ndiaye to preserve Senegal’s slender lead.
