Algeria’s women’s national team has arrived in Casablanca with a clear objective: reach the knockout stage of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), a milestone the North African nation has never before achieved.
With Group B fixtures against Botswana, Tunisia, and Nigeria ahead, the Greens enter the competition determined to make a significant mark.
The squad touched down in Morocco on Thursday evening, flying in from Algiers aboard a specially arranged flight. Upon arrival, the team was warmly received by Djoudi Belghit, Algeria’s Consul General in Casablanca.
Their mission is ambitious, yet coach Farid Benstiti believes in the potential of a squad he has spent two years carefully rebuilding with a blend of youth, experience, and technical precision.
The 2024 edition of the Women’s AFCON, set to run from 5 to 26 July, promises to be the most celebrated in the competition’s history.
Hosted by Morocco, the tournament is being promoted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a landmark moment in the development of women’s football across the continent.
With global broadcasting rights secured and over thirty free-to-air channels on the continent set to carry matches, this year’s AFCON represents a significant step forward for visibility in the women’s game.
Algeria begins its campaign on Sunday, 6 July, against a rapidly improving Botswana side at the Père Jégo Stadium in Casablanca.
The opening match of the tournament, however, takes place a day earlier, when host nation Morocco takes on Zambia in Rabat. For Algeria, the stakes could not be higher.
Their encounter with Botswana is seen as a crucial opportunity to start strong and lay the foundation for a historic run to the quarterfinals.
Benstiti is urging his players to focus on their own strengths while remaining wary of their opponents. Botswana, known for a structured defensive setup and a well-organised midfield, are not to be underestimated.
The Algerian coach has emphasised the importance of avoiding the kind of errors that led to a 3-0 defeat against Senegal in their final warm-up match on Tuesday in Blida.
Despite not being ranked among the tournament favourites, the Algerian team is buoyed by growing domestic support.
Their campaign will also be closely monitored by a growing media presence back home, as interest in women’s football continues to gain ground.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has vowed this tournament will be the “best and most successful” in the history of the competition — a sentiment reflected in increased prize money and a newly unveiled trophy symbolising equality and unity.
Winners of the tournament will receive USD 1 million, with financial rewards also distributed to all teams advancing from the group stage. While the total prize pool of USD 3.47 million still falls short when compared with Europe’s women’s football events, it marks a progressive step for African football.
Algeria’s campaign continues with a meeting against Tunisia on Thursday, 10 July, and concludes the group stage with a high-stakes clash against Nigeria on Sunday, 13 July. All matches will be played in Casablanca, at either the Père Jégo or Larbi Zaouli Stadiums.
With renewed optimism, strategic preparation, and a point to prove, Algeria’s Lionesses are determined to break new ground in Morocco — and possibly rewrite their place in the history of African women’s football.
