Algeria will be without Ines Boutaleb for the remainder of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026 after the forward suffered a serious ankle sprain during the group stage.
Boutaleb was injured in Algeria’s match against Kenya following a gross foul by a Kenyan player. Medical examinations have since confirmed the severity of the injury, ruling her out of the rest of the tournament.
The absence comes at a crucial stage for the Algerian side, who are preparing to face Cote d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals. A place in the last four is at stake, as is qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Boutaleb had been one of Algeria’s attacking options, and her loss leaves manager Farid Benstiti with fewer choices as the Vertes attempt to reach the semi-finals for the first time in what would be a historic achievement.
The injury occurred during the group phase, but its full impact is being felt as Algeria enter the knockout rounds. With no opportunity for Boutaleb to return during the current edition of the competition, Benstiti must now reorganise his attacking plans before the meeting with Cote d’Ivoire.
The Algerian coach will need to identify alternative solutions in attack while preparing his team for a match that carries two major rewards. Victory would send the Vertes into the semi-finals and also secure their qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Boutaleb’s withdrawal therefore represents more than the loss of an individual player. It removes an important attacking option from an Algeria team facing a decisive contest, and places additional responsibility on the rest of the squad to provide the threat needed in the final third.
The quarter-final against Cote d’Ivoire will be Algeria’s next opportunity to continue their progress in the tournament. Benstiti must now guide his team through the challenge without Boutaleb, whose campaign has ended because of the serious ankle injury sustained against Kenya.
For the Vertes, the objective remains unchanged: to win the quarter-final, reach the last four and secure a place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup. But they will have to pursue those ambitions without one of their main offensive arguments.