Morocco 2026: Tough Day In Office As Three African Teams Lose Opening Matches 

From Harry Awurumibe Live in Morocco

Three out of five African countries taking part in the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco have lost their opening matches in the ongoing global youth tournament with only the host nation Morocco recording a heartwarming 4-0 victory over New Zealand on Saturday.

Morocco opened her campaign in style at the iconic nation’s Women’s Football Complex in Rabat also called Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé with goals from Sonia Abajiou, an own goal, Imane Dhissi, and a penalty by Hiba Youssoufi.

But the same could not be said about three fellow African countries Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia who lost their opening matches at the weekend with Zambia woefully losing 5-0 to Japan on Sunday at Pitch 2 of Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé

Also on Sunday, Ghana was thrashed 3-0 by Norway at the same Complex as the West Africans had no answer to what the Norwegians had to offer on the day.

Earlier on Saturday at Pitch 4 of Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé, Nigeria narrowly  lost to Poland 1-2 in a match the Flamingos mounted a late comeback pressure which nearly paid off if the players were more clinical.

Now, it is left to be seen if the fifth African representatives Kenya will withstand the superior firepower of Republic of China at Pitch 1 of Mohammed VI Football Academy, Salé when both meet on Monday just as they will either join Morocco as opening match winners or fall to their opponents like Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia.

Participating African nations are:

• Morocco (Host nation)

• Nigeria

• Ghana

• Kenya

• Zambia

Germany vs Argentina 2–1

Korea DPR vs. Puerto Rico 6–0

Morocco vs New Zealand 4–0

 Canada 2–6 Brazil

France 2–0 Venezuela