Algeria’s Women’s Football Team Sets Sights on AFCON Semifinals and World Cup Qualification
ALGIERS – The Algerian women’s national football team, affectionately known as “Les Vertes” (The Greens), has set ambitious new targets following their recent continental progress. According to former national team coach Radia Fertoul, the squad now aims to reach the semifinals of the next Africa Cup of Nations and secure qualification for the Women’s World Cup.
Building on Recent Success
In an exclusive interview with national radio on Friday, Fertoul outlined the team’s strategic vision. “After qualifying for the second round in the previous edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, our ambition for the next tournament is to reach the golden square—the semifinals—and qualify for the World Championship,” she stated with measured confidence.
The team’s recent performance has created a palpable sense of momentum within Algerian women’s football. Their advancement to the second round in the last AFCON tournament marked a significant milestone, demonstrating the program’s steady development and growing competitiveness on the continental stage.
A Realistic Path to Global Competition
Fertoul, who brings considerable experience from her tenure coaching the national side, expressed genuine optimism about Algeria’s World Cup prospects. “We aspire to qualify for the World Cup, and we have a great opportunity to achieve that, given the level and confidence our team possesses,” she explained.
This confidence isn’t merely aspirational. The technical staff and players have been methodically building toward this objective, with improved training facilities, enhanced support structures, and a more professional approach to player development gradually transforming the landscape of women’s football in Algeria.
The Changing African Landscape
The upcoming AFCON tournament presents a particularly promising opportunity for Algeria’s ascent. Fertoul highlighted the significance of the expanded format and unexpected absences of traditional powerhouses. “The next AFCON is a great opportunity for our team to achieve this dream, as it will feature 12 teams, with the absence of several strong teams like Cameroon, Mali, and Ivory Coast.”
This shift in the competitive landscape could prove decisive. The absence of these established football nations creates openings for emerging teams like Algeria to make their mark. It’s a window of opportunity that the Algerian Football Federation seems determined to exploit through strategic planning and increased investment in the women’s game.
From Participation to Contention
What does this transition from participant to genuine contender mean for Algerian football? The answer lies in the changing mentality within the squad. No longer satisfied with merely competing, the players now believe they belong among Africa’s elite. This psychological shift, combined with improved technical and tactical capabilities, has transformed Les Vertes into a team with genuine continental ambitions.
The development pathway has been deliberate. Younger players have been integrated gradually, while experienced campaigners provide stability and leadership. The result is a balanced squad with the right mix of youthful exuberance and seasoned composure—essential ingredients for tournament success.
The Infrastructure Challenge
Despite the optimism, challenges remain. Women’s football in Algeria, like in many developing nations, faces infrastructure limitations and resource constraints. However, the team’s recent performances have begun to attract greater attention and support from both the federation and commercial partners.
Increased media coverage has also played a crucial role in raising the profile of the women’s game. As more Algerians follow the team’s progress, pressure mounts on stakeholders to provide the necessary resources for sustained success. This virtuous cycle of performance driving investment, which in turn improves performance, could prove transformative for the sport.
The Global Context
Algeria’s ambitions coincide with a period of unprecedented growth in women’s football worldwide. The success of recent Women’s World Cups has demonstrated the commercial viability and popular appeal of the women’s game, creating new opportunities for emerging football nations.
For Algeria, World Cup qualification would represent more than just sporting achievement—it would inspire a new generation of female footballers and accelerate the development of the women’s game throughout North Africa. The ripple effects could extend beyond football, contributing to broader social changes regarding women’s participation in sports.
The Road Ahead
The journey to the AFCON semifinals and World Cup qualification will require careful planning and execution. Fertoul’s comments suggest that the technical staff has identified specific areas for improvement, from defensive organization to clinical finishing in front of goal.
International friendly matches against varied opposition will be crucial for testing tactical approaches and building squad depth. The coaching staff must also navigate the delicate balance between maintaining core principles and adapting to different opponents—the hallmark of all successful tournament teams.
A Nation’s Hopes
As Algeria’s women’s team continues its upward trajectory, the nation watches with growing anticipation. The success of Les Vertes represents not just sporting achievement but national pride and progress. In a country where football passion runs deep, the women’s team is carving out its own place in the national consciousness.
The coming months will be critical as preparations intensify for the next AFCON tournament. With realistic ambitions, growing confidence, and a favorable competitive landscape, Algeria’s women stand on the cusp of making history. The question isn’t whether they can achieve their goals, but how quickly they can turn ambition into achievement.
One thing is certain: Algerian women’s football has never been in a stronger position to challenge Africa’s established order and announce its arrival on the global stage. The journey from continental hopeful to World Cup participant begins now.
Source: Ennahar Online