Algeria’s women’s national team will go all out on Sunday night when they face African powerhouse Nigeria in a decisive Group B fixture at the ongoing TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2024.
The match, scheduled for 8 p.m. Nigerian time at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, holds significant stakes for the North Africans. A win against the already-qualified Super Falcons will guarantee Algeria a place in the knockout stage.
Read Also: Nigerian Sensation Amina Omowunmi Bello Completes Move To Atlético de San Luis Femenil
Head coach Farid Benstiti is keeping faith despite the magnitude of the challenge. “It’s a very good match against Nigeria. ”
“They’re a great team, and we want to give them a real fight,” said Benstiti, whose side currently sits just behind Nigeria and Tunisia in the group standings.
After losing their opening game to Tunisia, Algeria bounced back with a gritty 1-0 victory over Botswana, followed by a hard-fought draw against the Carthage Eaglets. These results have kept their quarterfinal hopes alive.
The Super Falcons, nine-time WAFCON champions, have already booked their place in the last eight after winning both of their opening matches without conceding a goal. However, head coach Justin Madugu insists his team is not taking anything for granted.
“Each match is an opportunity to improve and evaluate the team in different scenarios,” Madugu noted. “We will make changes, but the objective remains the same: to win.”
Madugu is expected to rotate his squad, giving fringe players a chance to impress. One such player is attacking midfielder Jennifer Echegini, who may start and is eager to deliver. “Representing my country is an honour. If I’m in the starting XI, I’ll give it my all,” she said.
Algeria, who will be without key attacker Naïma Bouhani due to injury, know they will need more than belief to overcome Nigeria. Defender Marine Dafeur stressed the importance of tactical focus: “We must remain disciplined and united. The team is ready.”
Coach Benstiti, who has been rebuilding the team since taking charge, views this clash as a major step in their development. “If we manage to trouble Nigeria, then we’ve taken a big step forward,” he said. “We’re not here to just limit the damage—we’re here to prove we belong.”
The absence of Bouhani is a blow, but Benstiti remains optimistic. “She can score at any time, but the team is prepared to step up. We’re building something beyond individual talent,” he added.
Despite their unbeaten run, Madugu remains cautious. “Every match is different. You need a plan A and a plan B,” he emphasized, acknowledging the threat posed by a determined Algerian side.
As the final group games approach, both sides have everything to play for—pride, progress, and the chance to dream.
“The key will be discipline, managing pressure, and seizing our chances,” concluded Benstiti.
Whether it ends in triumph or heartbreak, Algeria’s performance against the Super Falcons will be remembered as a defining moment in their WAFCON campaign
