Algeria’s U-17 national football team begins its participation in a three-nation friendly tournament today, as it welcomes Tunisia and Mauritania to Blida for a series of matches scheduled from 11 to 17 June.
Initially planned as a pair of friendlies, first against Tunisia and later solely against Mauritania, the fixtures have since evolved into a mini-tournament featuring all three North African sides.
The competition aims to provide valuable match experience and tactical preparation for the young squads as they build toward future continental challenges.
Algerian U-17 head coach Amine Ghimouz has assembled a 25-man squad for the occasion, with a strong mix of domestic and international talent.
Notably, nine of the selected players are currently based in European clubs, a strategic decision made to complement the locally developed core group that has been training across previous camps in Algeria.
The team held its first training session on Monday evening at the annex pitch of the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium, where the tournament will also take place.
The opening match is set for this evening, with Algeria facing Mauritania at 6 p.m. The fixture marks the beginning of what the Algerian Football Federation hopes will be a productive series of encounters for the development of the youth team.
The competition offers a rare and crucial opportunity for the U-17s to test their progress against regional opposition. With the presence of players competing in elite European systems, the coaching staff will use the tournament to assess how well the squad can blend technical maturity with the competitive edge required in international football.
Coach Ghimouz has made it clear that the focus is not only on results but on performance, development, and integration. The tournament is also intended to foster cohesion and identify tactical strengths and weaknesses as the young Fennecs continue their path toward more formal international competition.
Algeria’s football authorities have placed significant emphasis on youth development in recent years, recognising that strong foundations at the U-17 and U-20 levels are essential for long-term national success.
This friendly series fits within that broader framework, offering the technical team a hands-on chance to evaluate the next generation of talent in a competitive setting.
Both Tunisia and Mauritania bring well-organised youth sides into the mix, ensuring a high standard of play and a valuable benchmark for Algeria’s young prospects.
Tunisia, known for its disciplined structure and tactical awareness, and Mauritania, a team that continues to grow in stature within the region, are expected to present solid opposition.
The tournament will unfold over the next week, with the final fixtures determining bragging rights and, more importantly, delivering lessons for all three coaching staffs.
Fans and scouts alike will be watching closely, particularly with several players tipped as future stars of Algerian football.
The mini-tournament represents not only a showcase of talent but also a crucial milestone in the ongoing preparation for upcoming continental youth competitions.
For Amine Ghimouz and his squad, this week in Blida may well shape the identity and momentum of Algeria’s U-17 side moving forward.
