Algeria women's national football team

Algeria

Nickname(s)	الأفناك  (The Fennecs) [1]
Association	Algerian Football Federation
Other affiliation	UAFA (Arab Nations)
Confederation	CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation	UNAF (North Africa)
Head coach	Azzedine Chih
Captain	Fatima Sekouane
Top scorer	Naima Bouhani (13)
Home stadium	Stade 5 Juillet 1962
FIFA code	ALG
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	82 1 (26 August 2016)
Highest	64 (June 2009)
Lowest	125 (June 2013)
First international
France 14–0 Algeria  (Cesson-Sévigné, France, May 14, 1998)
Biggest win
Algeria 12–0 Lebanon  (Alexandria, Egypt, April 16, 2006)
Biggest defeat
France 14–0 Algeria  (Cesson-Sévigné, France, May 14, 1998)
Africa Women Cup of Nations
Appearances	4 (first in 2004)
Best result	Group Stage (2004, 2006, 2010, 2014)
Medal record African Games 2011 Maputo Team

The Algeria women's national football team (Arabic: منتخب الجزائر لكرة القدم للسيدات‎‎) represents Algeria in international women's football. The team is currently ranked 79th in the world in the FIFA women's rankings. The team's highest ranking was 64th, in June 2009.^[2] The team plays its home games at the Stade 5 Juillet 1962 in Algiers and is coached by Azzedine Chih. Algeria played its first match on May 14, 1998 against France, and lost 14–0.

Algeria has never qualified for a World Cup. It has qualified four times for the African Women's Championship, in 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014, all finishing in group stage. Algeria is expected to become the first Arab and Muslim nation to participate in a Women's World Cup.

History

Beginning

The Algerian Football Federation was founded in 1962, after the Algerian Independence. It joined the CAF in 1963 and FIFA in 1964. By this time, no nation in the world had an official women's football team, instead they appeared in the 70's. Algeria's first recorded match dates back of the late 90's on 14 May 1998, against their motherland, France in Cesson-Sévigné. The result was a heavy 14–0 defeat, that is still Algeria's worst result. Although the team was formed in 1998, a futsal team had played a game with Morocco a year before, in 1997, losing by 5–0.

First match

In 2000, Algeria disputed its second game, facing Morocco in Casablanca on 30 July 2000, in a qualifier for the 2000 AWC in South Africa. They didn't score in the match and it ended in a defeat by 3–0. The second leg in Algiers on 12 August finished with a 3–1 loss. The aggregate score resulted in 6–1.

The team was not registered on the qualifiers for the 2002 AWC, who took place in Nigeria.

2003 All-Africa Games

As no qualifying took place, Algeria was invited to the first women's football tournament of the All-Africa Games, in Nigeria. The team was paired in Group B with South Africa, DR Congo and Mali.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
South Africa	3	3	0	0	9	1	+8	9
Mali	3	1	1	1	3	2	+1	4
DR Congo	3	1	1	1	5	6	−1	4
Algeria	3	0	0	3	3	11	−8	0

The results weren't favorable as they lost the three games they played by crushing defeats. The first match was with DR Congo on 4 October. The final score was a 5–2 defeat. Three days later, on 7 October, they were beaten by South Africa with a scoreline of 3–1. Without any opportunity of advance to the Semi-Finals, Algeria played its last match with Mali and lost with a result of 3–0.

2004 African Women's Championship

The Algerian women's team qualified for the first championship in their history when they participated in the 2004 AWC, held in South Africa again. Algeria's only rival in the qualifying round was Mali. Their road to the Championship started on 11 July, as visitor. They drew with Mali 2–2. Bowhani and Zerrouki scored for Algeria. In home, Algeria won 1–0 thanks to Zerrouki's goal at the 15 minutes.

Algeria was drawn in the Group B with Nigeria, Cameroon and Mali, who qualified as a lucky loser because both DR Congo and Gabon (who were scheduled to play together in the qualifiers) withdrew.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Nigeria	3	2	1	0	9	2	+7	7
Cameroon	3	1	2	0	7	5	+2	5
Algeria	3	1	0	2	4	7	−3	3
Mali	3	0	1	2	2	8	−6	1

The team had its debut with Nigeria on 19 September, but they can't surpass them, as they lost with the score of 4–0. The second game was with Mali on 22 September, and they had a victory of 3–0, the only in the tournament. Sedhane, Imloul and Laouadi scored for Algeria in this game. Having the chance of advance to the Semi-Finals, Algeria played their last game, facing Cameroon. Algeria's Nabila Imloul scored the first goal of the match, making the team won 1–0. But Cameroon score in the 29 minutes to equalise the game. The final result was a 3–1 loss, resulting in elimination from the tournament.

2006

2006 Arab Women's Championship

Algeria was part of the only Arab Women's Championship to the date, held in Egypt in April 2006. Algeria was in the Group B along with Lebanon and Morocco. Algeria had the best result of all of its games in the first game with Lebanon on 19 April, when they won by 12–0. The second match against Morocco on 21 April, ended in a goalless draw. Algeria advanced to the Semi-Finals with 4 points.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Algeria	2	1	1	0	12	0	+12	4
Morocco	2	1	1	0	8	0	+8	4
Lebanon	2	0	0	2	0	20	−20	0

In the Semi-Finals, the team won 3–0 to their neighbor country, Tunisia, thus advancing to the Final match, with Morocco. With a goal of Lilia Boumrar, Algeria won 1–0, and become the Champions of the only edition of Arab Women's Championship.

	Semi-finals				Final
	26 April – Alexandria
	Algeria	3
	Tunisia	0
					29 April – Alexandria
					Algeria	1
					Morocco	0
					Third place
	26 April – Alexandria			29 April – Alexandria
	Egypt	2		Egypt	1
	Morocco (aet)	4			Tunisia	2

2006 AWC/2007 World Cup qualifiers

In March, Algeria entered for the first time in a World Cup qualifier as the 2006 AWC also served as the qualification tournament for the 2007 World Cup. The first scheduled rival for Algeria was Libya, but for unknown reasons it withdrew. Algeria advanced by walkover to the second qualifying round.

The second qualifying round rival was Northern Africa neighbors Egypt, who advanced to the Second Round by the withdrawal of Eritrea. The first leg, in Annaba on July 23, resulted on a victory in favor of Algeria with a 1–0, product of Zerrouki's goal at the 57 mins. The second leg was in away field, in Alexandria on August 5. Algeria defeated Egypt with a 3–0 result, being 1–0 at the half time. The team qualified for the 7th edition of the African Women's Championship, originally held in Gabon, but due to organizational issues, it ended to be held in Nigeria.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Nigeria	3	3	0	0	12	2	+10	9
South Africa	3	2	0	1	6	2	+4	6
Equatorial Guinea	3	0	1	2	5	9	−4	1
Algeria	3	0	1	2	3	13	−10	1

The draw determined that Algeria would be in the Group A along with hosts Nigeria, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea. The team didn't started well in the competition, as they lost the first game with South Africa in a 4–0 result. A worst result was registered on the second match, in were Algeria faced the group favorites and 7-times champion of the tournament Nigeria, they lost with a 6–0 scoreline. The only point Algeria had on this edition is thanks to the last match, a 3–3 draw with Equatorial Guinea. Boumrar (one goal) and Bouhani (two goals) scored for Algeria in this match. Algeria didn't advanced to the next stage and was eliminated from the 2007 Women's World Cup.

2007 All-Africa Games

The 2007 All-Africa Games were held on home soil from 10 July to 22 July. Algeria qualified automatically as being the hosts of the event. They were drawn in the Group B with Ghana and Senegal. They lost the first match with Ghana 2–1. They advanced to the Semi-Finals by a victory over Senegal by 3–1.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Ghana	2	2	0	0	5	1	+4	6
Algeria	2	1	0	1	4	3	+1	3
Senegal	2	0	0	2	1	6	−5	0

The Semi-Final was with Nigeria, and ended in a 5–0 loss. Algeria, had to play the third place match against Ghana. The game ended in a 3–1 defeat, making Algeria finishing fourth in the tournament.

2008

2008 African Women's Championship

The 2008 edition was the second AWC that Algeria failed to qualify. The team played the First Round with Morocco and won with an aggregate score of 3–1, winning both legs by 1–0 and 2–1. Algeria advanced to the Second Round with Tunisia. The first leg in away soil, ended in a draw with no goals and the second (at home) resulted in a loss with the scoreline of 2–1. Algeria was eliminated and Tunisia qualified.

2008 Olympic Games qualifiers

For the 2008 Olympic Games, held in China, Algeria participated in the qualifiers, but didn't manage to get it. In the First Round, the Algerian team won 3–0 in the first leg with Mozambique and achieved one of the biggest wins in the second leg, by 9–1. The team advanced to the next round in where they faced Nigeria and won by 1–0, but had a loss in the second match by 6–0. Algeria were automatically eliminated after the aggregate score was 6–1.

2009 UNAF Women's Tournament

Algeria participated in the only edition of the UNAF Women's Tournament in Tunisia in November 2009. The team finished second after drawing with Egypt 1–1 and lost 1–0 against Tunisia.

2010 AWC/2011 World Cup qualifiers

Algeria entered for the second time in a World Cup qualifying round in the Preliminary Round of the 2010 AWC, against Egypt, but it later withdrew for unknown reasons. They advanced automatically to the First Round, in where they were drawn to play with Tunisia. The first leg was played in home soil on 22 May, in Koléa and the final result was 1–1. The goal for Algeria came in the extra time from Laouadi. In Tunis on 5 June, Algeria got its revenge for the last year loss, having a 1–0 victory. The aggregate result was 2–1 in favour of the Algerians, and thus, they qualified for the 2010 AWC in South Africa.

Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
Equatorial Guinea	3	2	1	0	6	3	+3	7
Cameroon	3	2	1	0	6	4	+2	7
Ghana	3	1	0	2	4	6	−2	3
Algeria	3	0	0	3	2	5	−3	0

In the Final tournament, Algeria's group was B, also the same of Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon and Ghana. The opening match with Ghana, resulted in 2–1 defeat, with the only goal being scored Ouadah at the first four mins. The team was winning 1–0 in the half-time. The second game, with the 2008 Champion Equatorial Guinea, finished in a 1–0 loss. With no chances of qualifying to the next round, Algeria's closing match was against Cameroon, and this last result was a 2–1 defeat. Naima Bouhani scored the only goal for them. The half-time had a 0–0 draw. Algeria ended eliminated from both the 2010 AWC and the 2011 World Cup.

2011 All-Africa Games

Algeria entered the 2011 All-Africa Games football tournament qualifiers, but did not play any match as it was the only entry from the Zone 1 (North Africa). In the final tournament, the team was in the Group A, with Cameroon, Guinea and Mozambique. The first match had no goals from part of Algeria, but three of Cameroon, that did one defeat to them. Algeria beat Mozambique by 7–1 with goals of Meflah, Bouhani, Bekhedda, Marek and Yahi. The team did not play the game against Guinea, because it withdrew prior to playing the first match. Algeria advanced to the Semi-Finals, in where they lost with Ghana by the score of 3–0. The match for the bronze medal was the first victory to South Africa by 3–0. Zerrouki, Bouhani and Marek scored for Algeria and gave them the Bronze medal.

2014 AWC/2015 World Cup qualifiers

After not entering the 2012 African Women's Football Championship qualification, Algeria registered in the 2014 qualifiers. This time, their rival was Morocco. In the first leg in Stade Omar Hamadi, Naima Bouhani shined for contributing to victory with 2 goals. Algeria defeated its neighbor country by 2–0. The second leg in Rabat resulted in a goalless draw. The aggregate result was 2–0, that made Algeria advance to the Second Round.

Again in Stade Omar Hamadi, Algiers; Algeria received Tunisia in a chance to qualify to their fourth tournament. The goals of both teams were scored in the first time. The score was 2–1 in favour of the Algerians. Laifa and captain Sekouane scored. In Stade 15 Octobre, away soil; Algeria faced an aspirant Tunisia that tied the game in the half-time 2–2. Sekouane's goal at the 81 mins. put the match 3–2. Algeria qualified again with an aggregate score of 5–3.

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification
1	Cameroon	3	2	0	1	3	1	+2	6	Knockout stage
2	South Africa	3	1	1	1	6	3	+3	4
3	Ghana	3	1	1	1	2	2	0	4
4	Algeria	3	1	0	2	2	7	−5	3

The draw on 19 July 2014 in Windhoek, Namibia (host nation) indicated that Algeria would be in the Group B with South Africa, Cameroon and Ghana. This was the second time in a row that Algeria was in the same group as Cameroon and Ghana. The first match marked the second win (and first) of the Algerian team in the tournament in 10 years (the last being the 3–0 to Mali in 2004), against Ghana with a 1–0 from Affak near to the end of the game. In the second game, they lost 2–0 to Cameroon. The last result, against South Africa, wasn't very good, as they lost by 5–1. Houria Affak again scored for the national team. All of its games were played on the Independence Stadium in Windhoek. Once more, Algeria didn't reached the World Cup.

2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations

The 2016 tournament in Cameroon will have a new name, the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations, to be similar to the men's version, Africa Cup of Nations. A draw determined that Algeria's first rival will be Togo, one of Africa's nations with very few international matches. It is expected that the first leg will be played in Algeria on April 8–10 and the second leg in Togo around April 22–24.

Kit

Kit suppliers

Kit providers	Period
Cirta Sport	1998–2001
Baliston	2002–2004
Le Coq Sportif	2004–2009
Puma	(2010–2014)
Adidas	(2015-ongoing)

1st Kit

2004 AWC 2006 AWC

2010 AWC

2014 AWC

2016 AWCON

2nd Kit

2004 AWC 2006 AWC

2010 AWC

2014 AWC

2016 AWCON

Honours

• All-Africa Games
  • Bronze medal (Maputo 2011)
• Arab Women's Championship
  • Champion (Egypt 2006) ^[3]
• UNAF Women's Tournament
  • Runner-up (Tunisia 2009)

Competitive record

Last matches and results

Date	Location	Opponent	Score	Competition
14 January 2014	Sidi Moussa	Senegal	1–2	Friendly
17 January 2014	Algiers	Senegal	3–0	Friendly
14 February 2014	Algiers	Morocco	2–0	2014 African Women's Championship qualification
1 March 2014	Rabat	Morocco	0–0	Friendly
30 April 2014	Algiers	Ivory Coast	1–3	Friendly
3 May 2014	Sidi Moussa	Ivory Coast	1–2	Friendly
23 May 2014	Algiers	Tunisia	2–1	2014 African Women's Championship qualification
8 June 2014	Bizerte	Tunisia	3–2	2014 African Women's Championship qualification
4 October 2014	Windhoek	Namibia	1–3	Friendly
12 October 2014	Windhoek	Ghana	1–0	2014 African Women's Championship
15 October 2014	Windhoek	Cameroon	0–2	2014 African Women's Championship
18 October 2014	Windhoek	South Africa	1–5	2014 African Women's Championship
8–10 April 2016	TBD, Algeria	Togo	TBD	2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualification
22–24 April 2016	TBD, Togo	Togo	TBD	2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations qualification

Current squad

Roster for the 2014 African Women's Championship.

Head coach: Azzedine Chih

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Club
1	1GK	Kahina Takenint	(1991-05-21) 21 May 1991		AS Sûreté Nationale
2	4FW	Houria Affak	(1988-07-11) 11 July 1988		ASE Alger Centre
3	2DF	Houria Sedrati	(1989-03-19) 19 March 1989		CS Constantine
4	2DF	Fatima Sekouane (c)	(1983-05-21) 21 May 1983		Affak Relizane
5	2DF	Fatima Bara	(1990-02-21) 21 February 1990		ASE Alger Centre
6	2DF	Fayrouz Benyoub	(1995-08-12) 12 August 1995		AS Muret
7	3MF	Nachida Laïfa	(1982-10-17) 17 October 1982		ASE Alger Centre
8	3MF	Lydia Mounia Miraoui	(1991-09-24) 24 September 1991		Claix Football Féminin
9	4FW	Imene Merrouche	(1994-04-25) 25 April 1994		CS Constantine
10	2DF	Habiba Sadou	(1986-11-01) 1 November 1986		AS Sûreté Nationale
11	3MF	Kenza Hadjar	(1992-12-24) 24 December 1992		USF Béjaïa
12	2DF	Keltoum Aouda	(1990-01-01) 1 January 1990		Affak Relizane
13	4FW	Mahbouba Bekkouche	(1984-04-29) 29 April 1984		JF Khroub
14	3MF	Myriam Yasmine Benlazar	(1995-06-09) 9 June 1995		Toulouse FC
15	3MF	Fethia Bekhedda	(1990-07-09) 9 July 1990		Affak Relizane
16	1GK	Asma Adda Chaïb	(1991-03-23) 23 March 1991		CS Constantine
17	3MF	Siham Boutechiche	(1980-01-06) 6 January 1980		ASE Alger Centre
18	2DF	Khadidja Khelifouche	(1990-01-01) 1 January 1990		ASE Alger Centre
19	4FW	Naïma Benziane Bouheni	(1985-10-23) 23 October 1985		Affak Relizane
20	3MF	Sabrina Labiod	(1986-06-17) 17 June 1986		AS Muret
21	1GK	Nadia Mazouz			JF Khroub

Background and development

Women's football teams in the country have had to deal with killings around their matches.^[4]

All-time record

• Correct as of November 3, 2014

Against	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GF	GA	GD
Cameroon	4	0	0	4	2	10	−8
DR Congo	1	0	0	1	2	5	−3
Egypt	5	2	2	1	5	2	+3
Equatorial Guinea	2	0	1	1	3	4	−1
France	1	0	0	1	0	14	−14
Ghana	3	1	0	2	2	5	−3
Ivory Coast	2	0	0	2	2	5	−3
Lebanon	1	1	0	0	12	0	+12
Mali	4	2	1	1	6	5	+1
Morocco	7	4	2	1	7	7	0
Mozambique	3	3	0	0	19	2	+17
Namibia	1	0	0	1	1	3	−2
Nigeria	5	1	0	4	1	21	−20
Senegal	5	3	0	2	10	7	+3
South Africa	4	0	0	4	2	15	−13
Tunisia	13	8	2	3	25	11	+14
Total	61	25	8	28	99	116	−17

References

External links

• Official website
• FIFA profile