Algeria coach Farid Benstiti says his side’s opening victory has given them “full confidence” heading into a highly anticipated clash with hosts Morocco at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, after overcoming what he described as a fierce physical challenge from Senegal.
Benstiti’s team were put under intense pressure in the early stages but, despite being unsettled at the start, they absorbed Senegal’s aggression before gradually taking control and securing their first win of the campaign.
The Algeria head coach underlined how demanding the encounter had been from the outset, explaining that his players needed time to settle against a powerful opponent.
“When I saw Senegal in the warm-up, I said to myself that we had to be strong today,” Benstiti said after the match. “Senegal imposed a real physical challenge on us. That’s why we needed some time to get into the game.”
The result, Algeria’s first success of these qualifiers, is seen within the camp as a vital platform before facing Morocco, the tournament hosts, in what is expected to be a high-intensity showdown both on and off the pitch.
Emotional debut for some Algeria players
Benstiti revealed that for several members of the squad, this was their first appearance at this level, adding an emotional dimension to an already testing fixture and contributing to the team’s slow start.
“Some players were playing their first match, so they had to overcome a certain emotion,” he explained, noting that nerves had to be managed before Algeria could fully impose themselves.
The coach stressed that once his players settled, they were able to regain their composure and focus, driven in part by the knowledge of what lies ahead in the group.
“Then we pulled ourselves together because we know that we have Morocco waiting for us afterwards,” the Algerian coach concluded.
Morocco showdown in Rabat
Algeria will now turn their attention to their next assignment against Morocco on 30 July at the Stade Moulay El Hassan in Rabat.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time, with both sides aware of the significance of the contest in shaping their campaigns at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
For Benstiti and his players, the win over Senegal has not only provided their first points but also a psychological boost as they prepare to face the hosts in one of the standout fixtures of this phase.
