Following their elimination against Malawi, Lina Boussaha shared the conflicting emotions within the Greens’ camp, torn between regret, a landmark World Cup qualification, and the determination to claim bronze. The Algerian women’s national team saw their title hopes end in the semifinals of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations after a 3-1 defeat to Malawi. The Greens depart with heads held high following an unprecedented run, even if the match scenario leaves lingering disappointment.
In the mixed zone, Lina Boussaha addressed the team’s mixed feelings: “It is quite a strange feeling. We secured our World Cup qualification, but we will not be playing in the AFCON final. However, we must focus on the positives: we will be at the World Cup, which is already a monumental achievement. We now have one remaining goal, which is to defeat Morocco to finish in third place and claim the bronze medal.” The midfielder then reflected on the pivotal moment that shifted the match: “The game changed after our red card. We conceded quickly afterward, and that was the real turning point. That is football. In the quarterfinals, a red card worked in our favor; this time, it went against us. Playing ten against eleven against a team featuring top-tier players made the task exceptionally difficult. They capitalized on their numerical advantage and converted their chances. After our goal, we believed we could turn things around just like we did against Ivory Coast, but their third goal made a comeback nearly impossible. We must learn from this defeat and use it going forward.”
Reaching the semifinals for the first time in their history, Algeria notably secured a historic spot at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Before turning their attention to that major event, Farid Benstiti’s squad will attempt to close out their continental campaign with a bronze medal against Morocco. The final will feature Malawi against Cameroon, who defeated the host nation in the other semifinal matchup.