The Algerian women’s national football team secured qualification for the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after defeating Kenya 2–0 on Monday evening, in their final Group A match.
Team captain Marine Dafeur, who plays for Bristol City in England, opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a powerful long-range left-footed strike from about 25 meters. Her teammate Linda Bendris, a player for French club Caen, doubled the lead in the 23rd minute, giving Algeria a comfortable advantage before halftime.
With this victory, Algeria, under coach Farid Benstiti, finished the group stage in second place with six points, securing a spot in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive edition of the tournament, following their previous qualification at the same stage.
In the next round, scheduled for Saturday, Algeria will face the winner of Group B, which includes Burkina Faso, South Africa, Tanzania, and Ivory Coast.
Ahead of the final round of Group B matches, Ivory Coast leads with four points and is set to face Tanzania, who sit second with three points. Burkina Faso, also with three points, will take on South Africa, who are currently last with one point.
The stakes remain high, as the four semi-finalists in the tournament will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
