Casablanca, Morocco – The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown as l’équipe d’Algérie de football prepares to face Botswana in their TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024 Group B opener.
The Père Jégo Stadium will bear witness to a battle of contrasting ambitions: Algeria’s burning desire to finally advance beyond the group stage and Botswana’s determination to prove their 2022 quarterfinal run was no fluke.
The Stage is Set: A Fresh Start for Algeria
For l’équipe d’Algérie de football, this tournament represents redemption. After missing the last two editions (2018 and 2022), the Fennecs return to AFCON with a point to prove. Their sixth appearance in the competition kicks off on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at 20:00 (UTC+1) in Casablanca, and the weight of history looms large. Algeria has never progressed past the group stage in five previous attempts—a record they are desperate to rewrite.
Forward Lina Boussaha left no room for ambiguity when she declared:
“Our first goal is to win the continental title, there is no secret. Every participating team aims to win. We are not here to play secondary roles.”
Coach Farid Benstiti has echoed this ambition, setting the quarterfinals as the minimum target. With CAF doubling the prize money—$1 million for the champions—Algeria has already secured $125,000 just for participating. But financial rewards are secondary; the Fennecs crave progress.
Botswana’s Unwavering Resolve: No Longer Underdogs
Ranked 153rd in the world, Botswana enters as the lowest-ranked team in the tournament. But rankings mean little to The Mares, who stunned Africa by reaching the quarterfinals in their 2022 debut. Coach Alex Malete has made it clear: another group-stage exit is “unacceptable”.
“We are no longer here just to participate, but to make an impact,” Malete stated.
Botswana’s resilience is embodied by captain Sedilame Maitumelo Bosija, whose penalty heroics sealed their qualification. Up front, Refilwe Tholakele, a standout in the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League, and Keitumetse Dithebe—who scored Botswana’s first-ever WAFCON goal—will test Algeria’s defense.
Key Player Showdown: Who Will Shine?
For l’équipe d’Algérie de football, all eyes will be on:
- Lina Boussaha – The creative heartbeat of the team.
- Morgane Belkhiter (AS Saint-Étienne) & Marine Dafeur (FC Fleury 91) – The defensive pillars tasked with shutting down Botswana’s attack.
Botswana’s hopes rest on:
- Sedilame Maitumelo Bosija – The penalty-saving goalkeeper with nerves of steel.
- Refilwe Tholakele – A lethal finisher ready to exploit any defensive lapses.
Tactical Battle & Group B Dynamics
Algeria’s coach Benstiti views Nigeria as Group B’s strongest side, placing Algeria, Tunisia, and Botswana on a similar tier. However, recent form raises questions—Algeria’s 1-0 win over DR Congo was encouraging, but a 3-0 loss to Senegal exposed vulnerabilities.
Botswana, meanwhile, comes off a 2-3 defeat to South Africa and a 1-1 draw with Zambia in warm-ups. Coach Malete acknowledges Nigeria’s physicality but sees Algeria and Tunisia as more tactical challenges—one his team is prepared for.
Final Verdict: A Statement of Intent
For l’équipe d’Algérie de football, anything less than victory would be a missed opportunity. For Botswana, a draw or win would reaffirm their rise.
This is more than just three points—it’s a chance to set the tone for their AFCON campaign. The Fennecs seek history; The Mares aim to defy expectations once more.
Who will seize the moment?
Let the battle begin. ⚽🔥
doragon sports 