Algeria arranges two final friendlies ahead of Women’s AFCON

Algeria’s women’s national team will play two warm-up matches against DR Congo on 29 June and Senegal on 1 July in the final phase of pre-AFCON preparations before departing for Morocco.

These fixtures, scheduled at Blida’s Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, are the last opportunities for coach Farid Benstiti to refine his team’s tactics, selection and mental readiness before the tournament begins in early July.

Diverse Opponents for Comprehensive Warm-up

Facing DR Congo provides an initial test, exposing the team to Central African playing styles and physical challenge. Just two days later, Nigeria’s group-stage rival Senegal will offer a contrasting opponent, equally qualified for the tournament, but representing the high-energy, fast-paced West African approach. This blend of opponents allows Benstiti’s squad to experience varied game dynamics and prepare strategically for what lies ahead.

Intensive Preparation Campaign

The friendly matches come after weeks of focused preparation in Sidi Moussa and Oran, where a 26-player squad combining veteran internationals and emerging stars have been working on fitness, formations and cohesion.

The squad earned its spot in AFCON through strong qualifying performances, including a 3–2 aggregate win over Uganda and a dominant 6–1 victory against Burundi.

Under Benstiti’s leadership, the national team has begun to build a resilient identity. The friendlies are therefore seen as key in translating training-ground improvements into match performance, with tactics fine-tuned and player confidence raised.

Group B Draw and Expectations

Algeria has been drawn into a challenging Group B alongside Nigeria, Tunisia and Botswana. The Super Falcons of Nigeria are clear favourites, while Botswana and Tunisia offer competitive threats.

For Algeria, securing results in group play including reaching the knockout stage, which has previously eluded them, represents both a challenge and an ambition.

Strategic Outlook from the Coaching Staff

Benstiti has emphasised adaptability and clarity in role execution during the build-up. Players are expected to demonstrate both defensive discipline and attacking dynamism, ingredients he views as essential for navigating the tournament’s group stage.

The two friendlies will enable him to assess options, rotations and combinations before the first group game kicks off on 6 July.

Bigger Picture for Algerian Women’s Football

These friendlies are part of a growing movement to professionalise and elevate women’s football in Algeria. After steady tournament entries, the federation, backed by Benstiti, is committed to pushing past past stakeholders’ expectations.

The preparation phase reflects this ambition, with high-level opponents giving the team a platform to both prepare and showcase progress ahead of the spotlight tournament in Morocco.

What to Watch in the Friendlies

• Match sharpness: Assessing player fitness and match-readiness after domestic camp
• Tactical formation: Testing both attacking structures and defensive resilience
• Squad depth: Rotations to assess fringe players before final squad confirmation
• Mental fortitude: Gauging team response to competitive pressure ahead of AFCON

Forward Trajectory

By playing varied opponents and maintaining a strict training regime, Algeria aims to maximise the impact of these matches, shaping readiness and squad confidence.

With kick-off for Women’s AFCON set between 5 and 26 July, expectations are heightened not just for participation but for delivering a performance worthy of progression in Group B.