(PREVIEW) WAFCON: Morocco, Algeria clash in third-place tie
August 15, 2026 2:02 pm
Credit: CAF website
Hosts Morocco and Algeria will meet for the second time at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when they battle for third place at the Rabat Olympic Stadium by 6pm on Saturday.
The TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026 third-place play-off will be a historic encounter, with the Confederation of African Football highlighting several firsts surrounding the North African derby.
According to CAF on its website on Saturday, “This will be the first meeting between two North African teams in a medal match at WAFCON.”
It will also be the first time two teams from the same region contest the third-place play-off.
Morocco are seeking a third top-three finish at the competition after ending as runners-up in 2022 and 2024, while Algeria are guaranteed their best-ever finish regardless of Saturday’s result.
The two sides already met in the group stage, with Morocco securing a 1-0 victory through Sanaa Mssoudy’s 84th-minute goal.
CAF noted that Saturday’s encounter will be only the third time two teams that previously met in the group stage have faced each other again in the third-place play-off.
“In 2012, Nigeria defeated Cameroon 2-1 in the group stages before the Indomitable Lionesses gained revenge with a 1-0 win in the third-place play-off.
“In 2018, Cameroon defeated Mali twice, winning 2-1 in the group stages and 4-2 in the third-place play-off,” CAF said.
Morocco chasing historic third-place finish
Morocco were denied a place in the final after Cameroon held them to a goalless draw before winning 3-1 on penalties.
The defeat ended Morocco’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive WAFCON final and marked the first time they had failed to reach at least the final as tournament hosts.
CAF said victory over Algeria would give Morocco a third top-three finish at the competition.
“A win would also see Morocco finish inside the top three in all three tournaments they have hosted,” CAF said.
However, failure to win would see Morocco finish outside the top three as hosts for the first time.
The Atlas Lionesses have also had a notable relationship with penalty shoot-outs at WAFCON, with all three of their semi-finals decided from the spot.
Against Cameroon, Morocco’s Hanane Ait El Haj converted her penalty to extend the country’s run to 10 consecutive successful spot-kicks in WAFCON shoot-outs before Kenza Chapelle, Maryame Atiq and Sakina Ouzraoui failed to convert.
CAF said Chapelle became “the first Moroccan player to fail to convert in a WAFCON shoot-out.”
Morocco also struggled to create clear chances against Cameroon, recording 64 per cent possession, 566 passes with 426 completed and only three shots on target.
Algeria eye best-ever WAFCON finish
Algeria’s 3-1 semi-final defeat to Malawi ended their hopes of reaching the final, but Saturday’s match still offers the opportunity to make history.
CAF confirmed that “Regardless of the outcome of the third-place play-off, Algeria will achieve their highest-ever finish at a WAFCON finals.”
Algeria were also dealt a major blow against Malawi when Morgane Belkhiter was sent off in the 22nd minute, becoming the first Algerian player to receive a red card at the tournament.
Their defeat was their first loss in open play in a WAFCON knockout match. Their only previous knockout defeat came on penalties against Ghana after a goalless draw at the 2024 edition.
Ikram Adjabi scored Algeria’s only goal against Malawi, her first of the tournament, becoming the sixth different Algerian player to score at the current edition.
CAF added that “Algeria’s last three goals have all been scored in the second half.”
Adjabi was particularly influential against Malawi, recording four shots on target, the most by any player in the semi-final, while goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi made four saves.
Morocco hold edge in North African rivalry
Morocco have won both of their previous WAFCON meetings against North African opposition.
They defeated Egypt 4-1 in the 1998 group stage before beating Algeria 1-0 in the current tournament.
CAF said Morocco are now facing North African opposition outside the group stage for the first time.
Algeria, meanwhile, are yet to beat or score against a North African opponent at WAFCON. They drew 0-0 with Tunisia in the 2024 group stage before losing 1-0 to Morocco this year.
“Algeria are also facing a North African opponent beyond the group stages for the first time,” CAF said.
The winner in Rabat will become only the eighth different nation to finish third at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, joining Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Zambia.
Ghana currently hold the record for the most third-place finishes, having won all four of their third-place play-offs in 2000, 2004, 2016 and 2024.
Morocco and Algeria will therefore be competing not only for bronze but also for a place in WAFCON history when they meet at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
Tosin Oyediran is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over eight years of professional experience in reporting and storytelling. He is known for conducting incisive interviews and producing compelling human-angle stories that bring clarity and depth to the news. Tosin covers a broad range of beats including politics, health, advocacy, sports, and entertainment, with a strong focus on people-centred reporting. His work reflects firsthand newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to accurate, engaging, and trustworthy journalism.
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