EXCLUSIVE: Morocco, Algeria, win big as Tanzania, Nigeria lose ahead of WAFCON finals 

By Harry Awurumibe,Africa’s No.1 Women Football Journalist

After one round of matches out of the maximum three in the ongoing first FIFA women’s international window, host of the 2026 CAF TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco and North African neighbours Algeria did not only win their Pre-WAFCON friendly matches but went goal-crazy on the day.

Algeria yesterday humiliated Egypt 3-0 at City of October 6 Stadium, Cairo, the Egyptian capital in a pre-WAFCON match with the visitors waiting until the second half to score three unreplied goals.

Algeria and Al Nassr women’s football club forward Lina Boussaha scored the opener in the 49′. The second was scored by 26-year-old attacker Ines Khiri in the 55′ while another forward Nouhed Naili, 24 years old made it three goals in the 87′.

In their test-match against Burkina Faso last Friday at Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco walloped hapless  Burkinabes 5-0 and scoring four goals in the first half and one on the flip side of the game.

Atlas Lionesses impressive left winger Sanaà Mssoudy scored a first half brace while forward Ibtissam Jraidi also scored a brace, too, with one goal in each half. Yasmin Katie Mrabet was also on the scoresheet in the 5-0 demolition of Burkina Faso.

Elsewhere, Cotè d’Ivoire defeated Benin Republic 2-1 at Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny in Abidjan on Saturday with the host leading 2-0 at half time while Benin Republic pulled one back in the 60′ via a penalty by

Regina Gandonou. The Ivoriens scored in the 18′ by midfielder Grace Sery and 29′ by France-based Strasbourg women’s forward Ines Konan.

In contrast, Tanzania was outclassed and outscored 4-1 in the Pink Ladies Cup in Dubai, United Arab Emirates by Russia Federation, with the WAFCON-bound nation’s consolation lone goal scored by 18-year-old Winfrida Gerald, a midfielder with local club JKT Queens fc of Tanzania.

Like Tanzania, WAFCON title defending champion Nigeria, which is one of the African countries maximising the first FIFA women’s international window to step up preparations ahead of WAFCON finals in Morocco, suffered her first defeat after winning her 10th WAFCON title last year by losing 1-0 to host Cameroon.

A 90th-minute belter unleashed by Yvana Mbomezomo ensured that Cameroon beat Nigeria 1-0 at Ngoa-Ekelle Military Stadium, Yaoundé to halt a frequent defeat by Nigeria and restored some pride, not minding the victory came in a mere formality game.

Both countries will square up again on Tuesday at the same venue to complete the double-header international friendlies organised by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT).

International Friendly Results:

Morocco 5 v 0 Burkina Faso

Cameroon 1 v 0 Nigeria

Cote d’Ivoire 2 v 1 Benin,

Egypt 0 v 3 Algeria

17:00 – Benin v Kenya, Stade Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Abidjan

15:00 – Cameroon v Nigeria, Ngoa-Ekelle Military Stadium, Yaoundé

21:45 – Algeria v Egypt, City of October 6 Stadium, Cairo

22:00 – Morocco v Burkina Faso, Moulay El Hassan Stadium, Rabat

19:00 – Cote d’Ivoire v Kenya, Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium, Ebimpé