Hosts Morocco will aim to complete a perfect Group A campaign when they face Senegal in their final group-stage match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat on Monday.

Morocco have already secured a place in the quarter-finals after recording back-to-back victories over Kenya and Algeria, while Senegal must avoid defeat and hope Algeria fail to beat Kenya to keep their knockout hopes alive.

The fixture also revives a growing rivalry between the two nations following the controversial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. Senegal initially claimed a 1-0 extra-time victory, but CAF’s Appeals Board later awarded Morocco a 3-0 win after ruling that Senegal had forfeited the match following a temporary walk-off in protest over a penalty decision. The matter remains before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Previewing Monday’s encounter, CAF described it as one of the standout matches of the group stage.

“Some group stage matches feel like knockout games. The clash between Morocco and Senegal falls into this category,” CAF said.

Morocco opened their campaign with a 4-0 win over Kenya before edging Algeria 1-0, while Senegal bounced back from a 2-0 defeat to Algeria with a 1-0 victory over Kenya.

CAF noted that this will be the third consecutive WAFCON tournament in which both countries have met during the group stage.

“Morocco have won both previous meetings by identical 1-0 scorelines,” the continental body stated.

Morocco coach Jorge Vilda dismissed suggestions that previous meetings would influence Monday’s contest.

“These are two completely different situations. Senegal is a great team on the African and even global stage. We will have to show the best version of Morocco,” he said.

Despite already qualifying, Morocco midfielder Sakina Ouzraoui insisted her side remains fully motivated.

“It’s neither a dead rubber match nor an easy one. It’s a mini-final. In this WAFCON, all the teams have improved. We must stay focused on our game,” she said.

Ouzraoui also praised the home supporters, saying, “Our supporters are our twelfth player. We want to repay their pride by winning.”

Vilda expects another capacity crowd in Rabat.

“All the tickets are sold out. If the stadium were bigger, it would be just as full. We want to offer a victory to those in the stands as well as those watching on television,” he added.

Senegal coach Mame Moussa Cissé expressed confidence that his team can rise to the occasion.

“We approach every match with confidence, humility and the desire to achieve a positive result. After our first defeat, we found the mental, physical and tactical resources to react. Today, our qualification depends on us,” he said.

He also dismissed comparisons with previous encounters between the two teams.

“Football evolves. Circumstances change. The two teams are now very evenly matched in terms of level. It’s up to each of them to write their own story,” Cissé said.

While acknowledging the challenge of facing the hosts, he remained optimistic.

“Playing against the hosts is always difficult. But these are the matches every player dreams of playing. We’ll have to ignore the atmosphere and stay focused on our own game,” he added.

Looking beyond the result, Cissé said the match would also showcase the growth of women’s football in Africa.

“Beyond Morocco and Senegal, it’s African women’s football that will be under scrutiny. This will be one of the most-watched matches of the competition. Everyone will have to rise to the occasion,” he said.

Morocco are unbeaten in their last eight WAFCON group-stage matches, recording seven wins and one draw, and have yet to concede a goal in this year’s tournament.

A victory would see the Atlas Lionesses finish with a perfect nine points for the second time, while Senegal require a win and favourable results elsewhere to reach the quarter-finals for a third consecutive edition.