Algeria’s women’s national team marks its return to the African stage with renewed purpose, and captain Sofia Guellati believes her squad is ready to rise to the challenge ahead of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations opener against Botswana.
“It’s a moment we’ve been waiting for for a long time.
We’ve put a lot of energy into the preparation, and I feel the squad is full of confidence,” said the midfielder, whose words reflect the weight of expectation and hope surrounding the team’s re-emergence in continental competition.
After years of absence, Algeria steps into the 2024 tournament in Morocco determined to do more than just compete.
With Farid Benstiti at the helm, the Fennecs have embarked on a deliberate process of rebuilding, aiming to not only surpass their previous group-stage limitations but to reshape the very image of Algerian women’s football.
Much of that ambition rests on the shoulders of a largely renewed squad, featuring just three players from the 2018 edition.
Despite the fresh faces, Guellati insists the team’s unity and shared purpose will be its greatest strength.
“There’s a sense of cohesion among us,” she explained. “We’ve worked hard, we’re motivated, and we believe in each other. This competition isn’t just about results for us—it’s about proving that Algerian women’s football has evolved.”
The draw has not been kind. Algeria finds itself in a demanding group alongside Nigeria—Africa’s most decorated women’s side—and a rapidly improving Tunisia.
Still, with every match likely to be decisive, the team is determined to fight for every point.
For Guellati, who leads a generation seeking to carve out a new identity, the tournament represents more than a sporting opportunity.
It is a chance to inspire young girls across Algeria and to lay the groundwork for future success.
“This CAN can be a turning point for our team,” she said. “We’re here to show that we belong and to create something lasting.”
Algeria’s opening fixture against Botswana is not just a match—it is the first step in what the captain hopes will be a transformative journey.
With belief in abundance and unity at its core, the Fennecs are prepared to make their return count.
