The Algerian women's national football team has officially begun its training camp at the National Technical Center (CTN) in Sidi Moussa. Under the guidance of coach Farid Benstiti, the team is preparing for the second round of African qualifying matches for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The team will face the Central African Republic in a crucial double-header on October 9 and 13 at the Olympic Stadium in Algiers.
The team's training session started with a light recovery and physical readaptation program under the supervision of the technical staff. The 26-player squad, including newcomers like Sarah Compaoré from Olympique de Marseille and Nesrine Bahlouli from Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, will focus on building cohesion and refining tactics. Coach Benstiti aims to remobilize his team, review game plans, and instill the necessary rigor for international competitions.
The Algerian team is riding a wave of momentum after their historic performance in the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations, where they reached the semi-finals and secured a third-place finish, earning a spot in the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. With 35 African teams competing in the qualifying tournament, the team must navigate five rounds of elimination matches to secure a spot in the Olympics.
The Central African Republic, considered an underdog, will face Algeria without fear, intent on upsetting the recent CAN semi-finalists. Coach Benstiti has opted for continuity while injecting fresh talent into the team, relying on the cohesion, mental strength, and tactical discipline of his players to overcome the challenge.
The Sidi Moussa training center offers state-of-the-art facilities, providing an ideal environment for the team to fine-tune their physical conditioning and tactics. With a mix of experienced players and new recruits, the team is focused on achieving their goal of qualifying for the Olympics.
The qualifying tournament, structured around five elimination rounds, will conclude on December 4, 2027, with only the two finalists earning a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Algeria must remain focused and avoid complacency to succeed in the competition.
As the team prepares for the crucial matches against the Central African Republic, the players and coaching staff are aware of the challenges ahead and the importance of securing a positive result to advance in the qualifying tournament.
Key points
- Algeria's women's football team starts Olympic qualifying campaign against Central African Republic.
- Team coach Farid Benstiti aims to build on recent momentum and secure a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
- The team will navigate five rounds of elimination matches to qualify for the Olympics.
