Diop and Ndiaye Bag Brace as Senegal Fires DR Congo 4-0 in WAFCON Opener

Senegal produced a first-half demolition of DR Congo to register a comfortable 4-0 win and move top of Group A at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco.

A brace each from Mama Diop and Nguenar Ndiaye helped the Lionesses claim a deserved win at the Stade El Bachir in Mohammedia, sending them to the summit in Group A.

Senegal, quarterfinalists last time out in 2022, took an early lead through Diop, who found the breakthrough in the fifth minute. The forward got on the end of a through ball from Meta Kande before letting off a powerful strike into the roof of the net.

Ndiaye doubled their lead in the 13th minute, slotting the ball calmly into post after finishing off a sublime pass from goalkeeper Adji Ndiaye.

The Teranga Lionesses scored their third goal nine minutes later when Diop netted her second of the game. The 30-year-old France-based striker found the bottom corner after a defensive melee from the DR Congo players.

Senegal’s fourth came on the 40th minute mark through the head of Ndiye, who rose highest to nod home a cross from Hapsatou Diallo.

Coach Mame Moussa Cisse’s side took their foot off the gas in the second half, and the DR Congo came close to reducing the deficit a few times. Flavine Mawete hit the woodwork, while Gloria Mabomba and Naomie Kabakaba forced the Senegalese goalkeeper to make some saves.

The match ended with the Teranga Lionesses claiming all available points, and they climbed to the top of the group with three points. Morocco and Zambia, with one point apiece, sit second and third, respectively, while DR Congo are currently at the bottom after the opening game.