Algeria target Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 podium finish against Morocco

Algeria will face Morocco for third place at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 on Saturday, with manager Farid Benstiti insisting his side must complete their campaign by claiming a place on the podium.

The match will be played at the Olympic Stadium of Rabat at 18:00, following Algeria’s semi-final defeat by Malawi. Benstiti believes his players have earned the opportunity to fight for third place and is determined that they do not let it slip away.

Like their Moroccan opponents, Algeria see the play-off as a chance to finish the tournament on a high. Benstiti said his team would respect the competition and give everything to secure the result.

“I believe that when you reach this position, after the group stage, after the quarter-final and after the semi-final, you simply cannot let this third place go. So, as I always tell you, we will respect the competition and play our chance to the full for this third place. We are preparing to be very competitive, so we will do everything to complete an exceptional campaign,” he said.

The Algerian manager also sees the game as an opportunity for his squad to create a significant moment in the history of the country’s women’s national team.

For Benstiti, the prospect of winning a medal provides a clear incentive after a campaign in which Algeria have shown a strong collective identity. He highlighted the work carried out over the past three seasons by the players, his coaching staff and the Algerian Football Federation.

“What will motivate us tomorrow is simply entering the history of the Algeria women’s national team. We have shown a good image so far, throughout these three seasons together with coach Farid Benstiti, his staff and the federation, which continues to push us. So it is simply about entering the history of the Algeria women’s team and bringing a medal to the people,” the coach explained.

Saturday’s fixture gives Algeria the chance to turn their run to the semi-finals into a podium finish. Their route has included the group stage, a quarter-final and a semi-final, and Benstiti’s comments underline his belief that the team’s work should be rewarded with a place among the tournament’s top three.

Morocco stand between Algeria and that achievement. The two sides will meet in Rabat with both seeking to end their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 campaign with third place, while Algeria attempt to finish what Benstiti described as an exceptional journey with a medal.