Latest news with #FaridBenstiti
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ghana prepare for Algeria showdown for 2024 Wafcon quarterfinal
Di black queens of Ghana go face di Fennecs of Algeria for ogbonge quarterfinal game on Saturday, 19 July. Ghana finish second for Group C afta dem thrash Tanzania 4-1 for di last group game to qualify for di knockout stage for di first since 2016. Di black queens bin reach di final for di Wafcon (1998, 2002 and 2006) but since dem di team bin dey blow hot and cold. Dem comot di group stage for 2008, 2010, 2014 and 2018 for dia home. Di team now bin dey desperate to reach di final, but dem gatz conquer Algeria wey be first timers for dis stage. Di fennecs bin progress to dis stage afta dem play goalless draw wit Nigeria for dia last group game. Dem neva concede goal so far for di Wafcon; dem win 1-0 v Botswana and 0-0 wit Tunisia. Dia keeper Chloe N'Gazi wey dem name as di best goalkeeper for di group stages bin dey solid for dem so far. Dia na crunch time for both teams, afta Nigeria sama Zambia 5-0 to profess to di semifinal. Host nation Morocco na di oda kontri wey don scatter dia opponent to reach di semifinals. Di Atlas lionesses sama Mali 3-1, wia sabi pipo tok say dem bi one of di favourites for dis Wafcon. Wetin Ghana and Algeria coaches tok Algeria coach Farid Benstiti dey aware of di ogbonge game wey dey ahead wit Ghana, and e get confidence. "Dis na our first time for di quarterfinal, we sabi Ghana, dem be strong team but just like di group stage, we go try to do our best." Benstiti add say "anytin dey possible for football, I tink Ghana dey close to Nigeria, dem dey athletic but we wan prove say we deserve to be in di quarterfinal." "We bin respect Ghana but we go try to win di game." But dia coach get one headache- di fennecs na di team wit di lowest shot conversion rate among di quarterfinal teams wit 4.17%. Dem neva get even one shot on target for dia game against Nigeria wia dem only score one goal for di group stage from 13 shots. Coach Benstiti admit say tins bin dey tough but di team go do beta. "Na true tin say we bin score only one goal, but we still get di same target (to qualify for di next stage)." "For dis quarterfinal, na 50/50 game, we gat to be more efficient than Ghana, we go continue to attack," Benstiti tok for pre-match press conference. But for Ghana coach Kim Lars Björkegren, di black queens gat to maintain dia form from di last game. Kim Lars Björkegren tok say "Algeria na good team for defence, wia dem gat ogbonge goalkeeper. We go make tins difficult for her." "We no fit dey shoot from 45 yards and expect to score her, we gat to create beta chances and take dem all." Kim Lars Björkegren add say "di game na difficult game but I dey sure say we go play good game against dem." Key players and wetin dem tok Algeria goalkeeper Chloe N'Gazi na ogbonge player for dem wey she go be key player. She tok say "we go try to reach di semifinals. Dis na ogbonge responsibility for us. We neva go make anitin bother us." She bin keep clean sheet for di three group games. Na so dem bin name her as di best goalkeeper for di group stage; ahead of di reigning goalkeeper of di year Chiamaka Nnandozie from Nigeria. But she go dey tested for dis game versus Ghana, but she dey confident. Anoda player wey bin dey key for di fennecs na Ghoutia Karchouni. Di 30-year-old na di player wey score dia only goal for di tournament so far v Botswana to win only dia third nations cup game in 11 years. She say she go try to help di team for dis ogbonge match. For di black queens, dem go hope say dia key players - Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah wey bin win woman of di match for dia last game, go turn up. Also di coach expect midfielder Jennifer Cudjoe and captain Portia Boakye to dey in form. Ghana also bin dey welcome striker Doris Boaduwaa from suspension afta she miss di last game. Princella Adubea wey replace Doris against Tanzania bin play well wey she score one goal, but she bin hurt bifor di game end. So Doris gat di chance to start against Algeria. Di game go happun at 4PM GMT (5PM WAT) for di stade municipal de Berkane. Join us for di live text commentary for dis ogbonge game. Algeria go make history ? Or Ghana go qualify for di semifinal ? Make una join us make we find out ..
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Nigeria vs Algeria Wafcon 2024 match preview
Di Super Falcons of Nigeria and di La vertes of Algeria go clash for di ongoing Women Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday. Di final Group B match go happun for di Larbi Zaouli stadium, Casablanca around 20: 00 (8:00pm) local time. While di Super Falcons of Nigeria don already qualify for di quarter-finals dem dey hope to beat Algeria to finish strong and top Group B. For di La vertes dey also hope to top di group if dem win di match against Nigeria. Nigeria get six points afta dem win Tunisia and Botswana while Algeria get four points afta dem beat Botswana and play goalless draw wit Tunisia. Tunisia get only one point while Botswana get zero point. Match facts Nigeria don reach di knockout stage of all di 13 Wafcon editions. Na di first time since 2014 dem dey start wit back to back wins. Dem neva lose any final group stage match for Wafcon. Chinwendu Ihezuo donscore for di two matches wen she come from bench. If Nigeria win dem go complete 100 percent group stage win record for di seventh time. Algeria don get 4 points from dis Wafcon, dia best return for a single edition. Dem don already qualify for di quarter-finals but if dem win dem go end as group winners. Dem don lose dia final group game for wach of di Wafon editions. Dem fit finish di group stage witout any lose for dis first time. Wetin di coaches tok Algeria Algeria Coach Farid Benstiti wey don dey coach di team since 2023 tok say " We want to come out strong to beat Nigeria so dat pipo go take us serious for di quarter-finals." Di former head coach of di PSG women's team, dey come wit plenti experience. Since im take ova di team, Algeria don shown signs of progress, among di tins im don achieve na to qualify for di 2024 Wafcon finals afta dem miss di ast two editions. Nigeria Nigeria Super Falcons coach, Justin Madugu tell tori pipo say wen teams go out to play for competitions pipo dey always come up wit different records but dat one no be our major worry for now. Di most important record na to win all your games and set di most important record at di end of di tournament. But na good tin say di team no dey concede goals, e show say we dey strong for defence. We need to work on areas wey we know say we need to do beta as we dey improve wit subsequent games." E dey expected say coach Justin Madugu fit field some first-timers wey fit help Nigeria Super Falcons sustain dia legacy for dis Wafcon 2024. Dis na Algeria sixth appearance for di tournament. Even though dem dey consistent to qualify evritime, dis Les Vertes still dey struggle to establish diasef as one of di biggest sides for di continent. Stats show say dem neva pass di group stage bifor, and dis fit be di first time dem go pass di group stage while dia opponent Nigeria na nine - time winners. We dey bring una live updates for here
CAF
10-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Tunisia – Algeria: One Border, One Match, Two Visions
They know each other. Too well, perhaps. Between Kamel Saada's Tunisia and Farid Benstiti's Algeria, they share parallel stories. Players who have passed through the same training centers, the same French clubs. Sometimes even the same locker rooms. But on Thursday at 5pm (local time), at the Père Jégo Stadium in Casablanca, the time for shared memories will be put aside. They will have to choose a side, assert their identity. And perhaps save their AFCON. This Maghreb derby, the first ever between the neighbouring nations in the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals, is not just a regional matchup. It is a crossroads for two teams on opposite paths: Tunisia, seeking redemption after a poor start against Nigeria (0-3), and Algeria dreaming of confirming their important victory against Botswana (1-0). A stunned but not resigned Tunisia. At the press conference this Wednesday morning, Saada did not shy away from the reality on the ground. "Yes, the score against Nigeria was heavy but it does not tell the whole story. For 60 minutes, we held our own, we were disciplined. There were mistakes, yes, but the team responded with the right spirit." A spirited fight is what will need to be mobilized again, more than ever. Because the statistics are relentless: Tunisia has lost four consecutive matches at the WAFCON finals without scoring a single goal. The last time the Carthage Eagles found the back of the net was in their 4-1 victory against Togo in 2022. Since then, they have suffered 388 minutes of offensive impotence. Against Nigeria, Tunisia did not put a single shot on target, completed only 97 passes—the lowest total of any team over the last two editions—and had only 28% possession. "It is not enough, of course. But we do not play against a team like Nigeria every day," Saada argued. "Against Algeria, it will be a completely different match. A match we want to win." Farid Benstiti: "Tunisia deserves respect" On the Algerian side, the tone was firm but measured. Algeria, with a squad heavily structured around an Algerian-Franco framework, started their competition on a positive note. A goal from Ghoutia Karchouni, a well-organized team, a straightforward but incredibly valuable victory (1-0 against Botswana). "It is the WAFCON, not an exhibition tournament," Farid Benstiti expressed. "What matters is the result." Winning 1-0 is sometimes better than winning 4-0 without controlling anything." However, the former PSG coach refuses to hear talk of favouritism. "I am more worried about the match against Tunisia than the one against Nigeria. Because we know this team. We have played them twice recently. We lost once, drew another. They are solid, well-organized. They won't give us any concessions." Inès Belloumou: "We can't mess this up" Inès Belloumou, Malmö's left-back, was one of the standout players in the first match, with 89 touches on the ball and a constant influence down the left flank. She also talks about this match with a mixture of concentration and pride. "Tunisia-Algeria is not just a group match. It is a match we know and look forward to. We shall be up against familiar faces, former teammates." But once on the pitch, there are no more friends. Just opponents." Chrini Lamti, the Tunisian heart Facing a well-established Algeria, Tunisia will rely on the fighting spirit and vision of Chrini Lamti, their most reliable midfielder. Her ability to break lines, to slow down when necessary, and to cover spaces in transition will be decisive. "The squad wants to do everything possible to win. We know that there are expectations of us that we have to show something different," she says simply. Saada, for her part, knows that her players have more talent than what they displayed against Nigeria. "We must not fall into the trap of fear. We have to be daring. Play our game, take risks." Key points to note Physically, Algeria seem more ready. Against Botswana, they imposed their pace, recording 336 successful passes at a 77.8% accuracy rate, with seven shots on target. In contrast, Tunisia seemed out of it. But the context of a derby could erase this difference. Tactically, the two teams play in a fairly similar style: a compact midfield, a game based on transitions, and attacking packs that quickly advance. The difference could be made in the penalty areas, where Algeria seems to have more bearings and realism. Mentally, finally, everything is open. Benstiti insists: "This kind of match is also won with heart. We have to be mentally strong." He is wary of the conditions: "The 5pm kickoff, the heat... It is a factor to manage, but it is the same for both teams. At this stage, the mental strength will make the difference." If Algeria win, they could secure their place in the quarterfinals as early as this Thursday and thus achieve an unprecedented performance, as les Vertes have never qualified for the knockout stages of the WAFCON. A draw would leave them in a favourable position before facing Nigeria. Tunisia, meanwhile, have their backs against the wall. A second defeat, and the doors to elimination would open dangerously wide. But a victory in the derby would change everything: it would revive the momentum, offer a breath of hope, and prove that this generation can still write history.
Ya Biladi
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Algerian broadcaster erases Morocco's identity from Women's Africa Cup coverage
In a move that underscores a systematic determination to erase all references to Morocco, Algerian public television deliberately concealed the logo of Royal Air Maroc (RAM), the Moroccan national carrier and one of the official sponsors of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, currently taking place in Morocco from July 5 to 21. The incident occurred during the broadcast of a press conference held on Sunday by coach Farid Benstiti. The airline's logo, prominently featured on the official CAF-approved backdrop, was removed from the footage, in clear violation of the tournament's visual identity. This manipulation was exposed after other unaltered clips surfaced, including one posted by La Gazette du Fennec, showing the full sponsor backdrop, confirming the removal was intentional and prompting a wave of ridicule on social media. This incident is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern in Algerian public media, which routinely erases or ignores any mention of Morocco, whether by omitting coverage of the national team's achievements or avoiding references to Morocco's name or imagery, even in major continental and international events. It is important to note that official sponsors of continental tournaments are legally protected through agreements signed with CAF, which require all media outlets to respect the tournament's visual identity, including sponsor logos. From this perspective, the removal of Royal Air Maroc's logo constitutes a clear breach that could subject Algerian television to legal or regulatory consequences. The efforts to erase Morocco's presence did not stop there: images originally published on the official account of the Algerian women's national team and later shared by the Algerian Football Federation also showed the words «Morocco 2024» erased from the official tournament logo, in yet another move that blatantly denies recognition of the host country.
CAF
02-06-2025
- Sport
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF Women's AFCON 2024: Team Profile
Published: Monday, 02 June 2025 How they Qualified Algeria secured qualification by successfully navigating two rounds of qualifiers. In the first round, the Algerian team faced Uganda, winning 2–1 away and drawing 1–1 at home for a 3–2 aggregate score. In the second round, they dominated Burundi, winning 5–1 in Algiers and 1–0 in Bujumbura, finishing with an aggregate of 6–1. TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations History Algeria will be making their sixth appearance of the competition. Despite their consistency in qualifying, Les Vertes are still striving to make a breakthrough and establish themselves as one of the continent's top sides. To date, they have never progressed beyond the group stage. Players to Watch Marine Dafeur An experienced defender playing for FC Fleury 91 in France, Marine Dafeur brings defensive stability and top-level experience to the team. Trained in France, she joined the Algerian national team in 2023 and quickly established herself as a key figure in the backline. Lina Boussaha An attacking midfielder, Lina Boussaha plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia. A former Paris Saint-Germain player, she joined the Algerian squad in 2023. Her European experience and creativity in midfield are valuable assets for the team. Head Coach: Farid Benstiti Algeria has been coached by Farid Benstiti since 2023. A former head coach of the PSG women's team, Benstiti brings extensive experience. Under his leadership, Algeria has shown signs of progress, notably qualifying for the 2024 finals after missing the last two editions. Ambitions and Group outlook Algeria is in Group B alongside Nigeria, Tunisia, and Botswana. Nigeria, with eleven continental titles, is the group favourite. Tunisia is an improving side, while Botswana – a surprise semi-finalist in 2022 – remains a tricky opponent. Coach Farid Benstiti believes the draw is favourable and that Algeria has a genuine chance of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.
