Morocco captain Hanane Ait El Haj was named the TotalEnergies Woman of the Match after inspiring the hosts to a commanding 4-0 victory over Kenya in their opening game of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday.
The experienced right-back, deputising as captain in the absence of regular skipper Ghizlane Chebbak, delivered a superb individual performance at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium, registering two assists as Morocco made a flying start to their Group A campaign.
The Atlas Lionesses took control of the contest with three goals in a devastating 13-minute spell before half-time.
Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring in the 19th minute, with Yasmin-Katie M’Rabet providing the assist, before Maryame Atiq doubled Morocco’s advantage nine minutes later.
Ibtissam Jraidi then added a third in the 32nd minute, finishing off a move created by Ait El Haj to send the hosts into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.
Jraidi completed her brace just two minutes after the restart, striking in the 47th minute after once again being set up by Ait El Haj to seal a resounding victory.
The result puts Morocco firmly at the top of Group A on three points and with an impressive goal difference, while Kenya, making their first WAFCON appearance since 2016, are still searching for their first points.
Ait El Haj has been a key figure in Morocco’s recent rise on the continental stage, featuring prominently in the Atlas Lionesses’ runs to the 2022 and 2024 WAFCON finals. The 31-year-old also recently completed a move to Spanish club Deportivo Alavés from AS FAR shortly before the tournament.
A full international since 2014, Ait El Haj will now turn her attention to Morocco’s next assignment against Algeria on Thursday, July 30, at the same Rabat venue.
With the hosts targeting a historic first WAFCON title on home soil, their emphatic opening victory has immediately raised expectations around Jorge Vilda’s side as the tournament continues through August 16.