A tense 0-0 draw between Senegal and Morocco at Rabat’s Moulay El Hassan Stadium on Monday evening sealed the fate of the Senegalese Lionesses, who were eliminated from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in the group stage. The stalemate dashed hopes of progressing beyond the opening round for a team that had set its sights on surpassing its quarter-final achievements in 2022 and 2024.

With qualification for the quarter-finals already secured before kick-off, the hosts approached the clash with confidence after back-to-back wins against Kenya (4-0) and Algeria (1-0). Their determination to finish Group A as leaders added further pressure to Senegal’s must-win scenario. Under the guidance of head coach Mame Moussa Cissé, the Teranga Lionesses needed a victory to stand any chance of advancing as one of the top two teams in the group. A slim chance, but one worth pursuing.

The match unfolded with both sides evenly matched, neither able to break the deadlock. Morocco’s defensive resilience and tactical discipline kept Senegal at bay, while the visitors struggled to create clear-cut chances. The Atlas Lionesses, now unbeaten in the tournament, completed their group campaign with maximum points and a commanding lead in their pool.

For Senegal, the goalless result marked another setback in a campaign that began with a disappointing 0-2 loss to Algeria, followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Kenya. Despite the late improvement, it proved insufficient to overturn their elimination. The early exit represents a step backward for a squad that had aimed to build on its quarter-final appearances in the previous two editions of the tournament.