Kenya’s quest for maiden Women’s AFCON win extends after defeat to Algeria

Kenya's campaign at the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations came to a disappointing end after a clinical Algeria side claimed a 2-0 victory at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Monday night to secure a place in the quarter-finals.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsFirst-half goals from captain Marine Dafeur and Lynda Bendris proved enough to hand Les Vertes maximum points in the Group A encounter, condemning Harambee Starlets to a third straight defeat and another winless outing at the continental showpiece.The fixture carried everything to play for. Kenya required nothing less than a convincing victory by at least four goals while hoping the result in the parallel Group A clash between Morocco and Senegal swung in their favour to keep their slim qualification hopes alive.Gor Mahia forced to dip into transfer market after injury crisisAlgeria, on the other hand, only needed a point to guarantee progression after an impressive defensive campaign that had seen them concede no goals heading into the final group match.The North Africans wasted no time asserting themselves.Inside the opening minute, Dafeur almost caught Kenya goalkeeper Lillian Awuor off guard after pouncing on a loose ball outside the penalty area.##NAJAVA_MECA_9872958##Her powerful strike slipped through Awuor's hands before the goalkeeper recovered to gather at the second attempt.Algeria continued to pile pressure and nearly found the breakthrough in the ninth minute when Lina Boutaleb reacted quickest to a poorly cleared ball, only for Awuor to spread herself well and produce an important save.The resistance, however, lasted only until the 14th minute.Former Shabana coach reveals why he rejected several offers to work under MatanoAwarded a free-kick around 25 yards from goal, Algeria captain Dafeur curled a magnificent left-footed effort over the Kenyan wall and into the top corner, leaving Awuor rooted as the North Africans deservedly took the lead.Three minutes later, Tereza Engesha connected with a clever pass from Mercy Airo inside the area, but her effort was bravely blocked before Mwanalima Adam also threatened moments later after reacting to a long ball over the Algerian defence.Despite Kenya's attacking intent, Algeria struck again.##NAJAVA_MECA_9879072##In the 23rd minute, Elizabeth Ochaka failed to deal convincingly with Ruth Ingosi's clearance, allowing AS Cannes forward Lynda Bendris to seize possession before delicately lifting the ball beyond the advancing Awuor to double Algeria's advantage.Harambee Starlets, however, refused to fold easily.Mercy Airo sparked a swift counterattack just before the half-hour mark before picking out Fasila Adhiambo, who laid the ball into the path of Martha Amunyolet.Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate CECAFA Kagame Cup final alongisde Kenyan officialThe midfielder's first-time strike flashed narrowly wide with the Algerian defence beaten.At the opposite end, Laura Ikene tested Awuor with a curling effort before Kenya created another promising opening through Engesha.The experienced forward fired a low drive that forced goalkeeper Chloé N'Gazi-Boumrar into a sharp save, punching the ball away for a corner.##NAJAVA_MECA_9879092##Coach Beldine Odemba responded before halftime by introducing Annedy Kundu in place of Awuor as Kenya sought greater stability at the back.Substitute Sofia Bekhaled almost made an immediate impact late in the half, but her looping header drifted narrowly wide before Mwanalima came close for Kenya with a well-controlled volley that missed the target by inches.Algeria carried their momentum into the second half, with Boutaleb forcing Kundu into an excellent save six minutes after the restart.Asamoah Gyan reveals how Africa can develop more football talentKenya gradually found more attacking rhythm and came close on the hour mark when 19-year-old Valerie Nekesa raced onto Marion Serenge's perfectly weighted through ball.Just as she prepared to shoot, defender Kenza Khezami produced a perfectly timed sliding tackle to deny what looked a certain scoring opportunity.Serenge continued to trouble the Algerian defence, weaving past several defenders before seeing her effort blocked, while Dafeur thought she had grabbed her second goal of the evening only for the assistant referee's flag to rule the effort out for offside.##NAJAVA_MECA_9879081##Kenya's best chance of the second half fell to Serenge, whose curling effort narrowly sailed over the crossbar before captain Mwanalima controlled Fasila's delivery brilliantly inside the area but watched her finish drift agonisingly wide.Despite Kenya's late pressure, Algeria remained disciplined defensively to comfortably see out the victory and seal their place in the last eight.The defeat for Harambee Starlets marked a painful end to another difficult WAFCON campaign.Mombasa United turn to former Yanga SC head coach ahead of Premier League debutKenya finished bottom of Group A without collecting a single point or scoring a goal in three matches, their worst-ever performance at the tournament.Having also exited without a win during their maiden appearance in 2016, the Starlets' wait for a first-ever victory at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations continues.