Algeria will host Cameroon on Thursday evening in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying tie, with both nations eager to take a major step toward the continental finals.
The match will be played at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran, kicking off at 7 p.m. local time (GMT+1).
Viewers in Algeria can likely follow the action live on ENTV, while the game is expected to be available on Fecafoot TV for fans in Cameroon.
Algeria enter the contest full of belief after a dominant first-round performance against South Sudan, winning 5–0 away and 3–0 at home in Blida.
The team, led by coach Farid Benstiti, is targeting back-to-back appearances at the Women’s AFCON following a memorable run to the quarter-finals in Morocco last year — their best finish in over a decade.
Cameroon, meanwhile, begin their campaign at this stage as one of the top seeds, having been exempted from the previous round.
The Indomitable Lionesses, absent from the 2024 edition, are determined to reclaim their status among Africa’s elite.
Head coach Jean-Baptiste Bisseck expressed confidence in his squad ahead of the fixture, saying his players are in “high spirits.” Despite a few minor injuries, Cameroon will field a nearly full-strength team.
For Algeria, preparation has been slightly disrupted by the withdrawal of forward Morgane Ikene, who was ruled out through injury.
تم استدعاء اللاعبة إيناس خيري، المحترفة في صفوف نادي إيفردون سبور السويسري، للمشاركة في المواجهة المزدوجة ضد منتخب الكاميرون.
تلعب إيناس في مركز الهجوم، وقد انتقلت مؤخرًا إلى النادي السويسري قادمة من نادي غرونوبل الفرنسي.#LesVertes 🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/bDvbr4ebaG— Les Vertes d’Algérie (@Lesvertes_dz) October 22, 2025
She has been replaced by young attacker Inès Khiri. Even so, the core of the squad remains intact, including goalkeeper Chloé N’Gazi, captain Sofia Guellati, defender Inès Belloumou, and midfielder Ghoutia Karchouni — players who have become symbols of the team’s steady rise in recent years.
Thursday’s encounter is expected to be fiercely contested.
Both teams possess contrasting styles — Algeria relying on quick transitions and structured defence, while Cameroon boast physical strength and attacking flair.
The outcome in Oran could play a decisive role in determining who advances, with the return leg scheduled to take place in Yaoundé in the coming days.
Beyond the sporting stakes, the match carries emotional weight for Algerian supporters.
In men’s football, Cameroon famously denied Algeria a place at the 2022 World Cup in a dramatic playoff in Blida.
That memory still lingers — and adds an extra edge to this women’s showdown between two proud footballing nations.
