Ines Boutaleb injury leaves Algeria facing Women’s AFCON test without key forward

Algeria will be without Ines Boutaleb for the remainder of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after the forward suffered a serious ankle sprain in the group stage.

Boutaleb was injured during Algeria’s match against Kenya following a foul by a Kenyan player. Medical examinations have since confirmed the severity of the injury, ruling her out of the rest of the tournament.

The setback comes at a crucial stage for Algeria, who are preparing to face Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals. The match will determine which side reaches the semi-finals, while qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is also at stake.

Boutaleb’s absence removes one of Algeria’s attacking options at a decisive point in their campaign. Her injury means the Vertes must continue without a player who had been part of their threat in the final third.

Algeria head coach Farid Benstiti will now have to identify alternative attacking solutions before the quarter-final. The manager’s task is to reorganise his forward line and help the team maintain its challenge for a historic place in the semi-finals.

The injury occurred during the group phase, but its impact will be felt most strongly in the knockout rounds. Algeria’s next match against Cote d’Ivoire carries added significance because a victory would not only secure a place in the last four but also keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2027 Women’s World Cup alive.

The Vertes therefore face the next stage of the competition with their squad reduced by the loss of Boutaleb. Benstiti must find a way to compensate for the forward’s absence as Algeria attempt to progress further than ever before in the tournament.

Cote d’Ivoire stand between Algeria and that objective. With Boutaleb unavailable after the ankle injury sustained against Kenya, the Algerian side will need its remaining attacking players to take on greater responsibility in the quarter-final.