Senegal kept their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign alive with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Kenya on Thursday.
France-based Seynabou Mbengue scored the crucial goal of the match in the 35th minute at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat, handing the Lionesses their first points of the tournament.
The win now lifts Senegal to three points after two matches, while Kenya remain rooted to the bottom of the group following a second successive defeat.
Both sides entered the contest knowing that defeat would severely damage their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
Senegal eventually found the breakthrough 10 minutes before half-time when Bo Mbing converted to give her side a precious lead.
Despite Kenya’s attempts to find an equaliser after the break, Senegal held firm to secure all three points and reignite their chances of progressing from the group.
The result leaves Group A finely balanced ahead of Thursday’s second fixture between hosts Morocco and Algeria at the Moulay Hassan Stadium in Rabat.
The Atlas Lionesses will be aiming to strengthen their position in the standings, while Algeria will look to build momentum in what promises to be a decisive encounter.
With Senegal now back in contention and Kenya facing elimination, the battle for qualification in Group A remains wide open as the tournament in Morocco gathers pace.
