Algeria’s women’s national football team will face Senegal on Tuesday evening in their final preparatory match ahead of the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AFCON), as both sides aim to fine-tune their squads before heading to Morocco for the tournament.
The match, scheduled for 8 p.m. local time at the Chahid Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, marks a key moment in the Greens’ build-up.
Having edged the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their previous outing, Algeria now look to sharpen their form and rhythm against a Senegal side equally determined to make their mark in the continental competition.
After their narrow win over DR Congo, the Algerian squad resumed training at the National Technical Centre in Sidi Moussa, where a focused atmosphere has taken hold.
Coach Farid Benstiti and his technical staff organised a split training session: those who featured in the last match were given a light recovery workout, while the rest of the squad focused on tactical drills and positioning.
Benstiti, reflecting on the DR Congo encounter, expressed mixed feelings. While he was pleased with the team’s performance in the first half—highlighted by Lina Boussaha’s decisive goal—he acknowledged a drop in intensity after the interval.
“We should have extended our lead,” he admitted, pointing to physical fatigue and a lack of sharpness in the second period.
Tuesday’s friendly, then, presents an opportunity for Algeria to build on their early strengths and sustain their performance over 90 minutes.
Senegal, their opponents, will not be short of motivation. Having secured qualification for the 2024 AFCON by dispatching Egypt with a convincing 4-0 aggregate victory, the Lionesses of Teranga enter the final stretch of their preparation confident and ambitious.
The upcoming tournament will mark their third appearance in the competition, following participations in 2012 and 2022.
In the last edition held in Morocco, the Senegalese women advanced to the quarter-finals, only to be knocked out on penalties by Zambia after a hard-fought draw.
Now, they find themselves placed in a demanding Group A, alongside host nation Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia—an opponent they will be eager to avenge.
Head coach Mame Moussa Cissé, who remains at the helm from their 2022 campaign, has opted for consistency in selection. His 26-player squad features a blend of experience and emerging talent.
Veteran figures such as captain Safietou Sagna and defensive stalwart Korka Fall will be expected to guide a younger generation, including forward Dieynaba Ndaw.
Notably, 15 of the selected players are based overseas, with many plying their trade in France and Turkey.
For Algeria, this evening’s match is about more than just preparation—it is a chance to assess their readiness, reinforce tactical ideas, and maintain the momentum ahead of their tournament opener against Botswana, which is set for Sunday at Casablanca’s Père Jégo Stadium.
With both teams eager to start the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations on the right note, Tuesday’s friendly encounter promises to be a competitive and revealing test.
