Morocco needed just 13 minutes to take control of their opening match at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The hosts defeated Kenya 4-0 after scoring three times between the 19th and 32nd minutes. Sakina Ouzraoui opened the scoring, Maryame Atiq doubled the lead and Ibtissam Jraidi made it 3-0 before half-time.
Kenya held out during the opening stages but could not contain Morocco once the hosts increased the tempo. Ouzraoui broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after being set up by Yasmin Mrabet.
Atiq added the second nine minutes later. Jraidi then scored Morocco’s third in the 32nd minute from a Hanane Ait El Haj pass, turning a strong spell into a commanding lead.
Kenya made three changes at half-time, but any hope of a response disappeared almost immediately. In the 47th minute, Ait El Haj provided another assist for Jraidi, who completed her brace and made it 4-0.
Morocco eased the tempo from that point, made several changes and managed a lead that was never in danger. Kenya did strike the woodwork, but rarely threatened the Moroccan goal with any consistency.
The difference was particularly clear in the penalty areas. Morocco finished with 19 shots, ten of them on target, and recorded 30 touches inside the Kenyan box. Kenya managed only five at the other end, with just two of their eight attempts coming from inside the area.
The hosts also controlled possession with 65% of the ball and completed 83% of their passes. They did not need to maintain the same intensity throughout the match: one devastating spell producing three goals was enough to decide it.
Jraidi led the way with her brace, while Ait El Haj provided two assists. Morocco begin the tournament with three points, four goals and a match that was settled long before the final whistle.