Algeria Claims First WAFCON Medal With Penalty Shootout Win Over Morocco

Algeria has won its first-ever medal at the CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations, triumphing over host Morocco in the bronze medal match on Saturday in Rabat. The contest finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes of play, forcing the decision to penalties where Algeria converted three times to Morocco's two, securing the third-place finish.

This represents a significant milestone for the Algerian women's football programme, which reached the third-place playoff after exiting the tournament earlier than expected. The North Africans had lost to Malawi in the semi-finals before rebounding to defeat their continental neighbours in the bronze-medal contest.

The result adds a piece of silverware to their campaign despite the earlier knockout-stage disappointment. The match between the two North African rivals was contested on Saturday evening with Morocco beginning the encounter with attacking intent.

The hosts came close to scoring in the 17th minute when a first-time effort struck the crossbar, though neither side managed to break through during regulation time before penalties determined the outcome. This was the second meeting between Algeria and Morocco at the tournament.

Morocco had edged out Algeria in their earlier group-stage encounter, but the Algerians reversed that result in the bronze-medal fixture. The victory gives Algeria silverware to show from the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2026, capping their tournament run with a success after semi-final elimination.