VAlgiers – The head coach of Algeria’s women’s handball team, Riad Oulmane, has announced that their main objective is to reach the semi-finals of the 2024 African Handball Championship, scheduled to take place in the Democratic Republic of Congo from November 27 to December 7. This tournament will also serve as a qualifier for the 2025 World Championship, set to be held in Germany and the Netherlands.
In a statement following a friendly match against Senegal on Wednesday evening, Oulmane emphasized the importance of setting ambitious goals. “Our aim is to reach the semi-finals of the African Championship. We are not just here to participate,” he said. “We are working hard towards this goal by focusing on team cohesion and crafting a strategy that aligns with the philosophy and ambitions of the squad. We are also urging the players to deliver high-quality performances and minimize mistakes.”
The coach added, “Every match in the tournament will be like a final for us. Winning the first game against Cape Verde is essential, especially before the more challenging encounter with Egypt.”
Tough Group Stage Awaits Algeria
According to the group draw held on September 19, Algeria finds itself in Group A, competing alongside Senegal, Egypt, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Cape Verde.
Despite the team’s 19-32 loss to Senegal in the friendly match, Oulmane remains optimistic. “We played against the African vice-champions, and while we could have achieved a better result, the lack of cohesion and our players’ haste were evident. We will work on these aspects ahead of our next friendly with the same team,” he said.
The coach does not consider the loss a setback, explaining, “We started working with this mixed squad only three days ago, comprising both professional players and others from the local league. Along with my assistant, Yacine Bouakkaz, we are implementing a plan tailored for the upcoming African Championship.”
Local vs. Foreign Talent: Closing the Gap
Oulmane acknowledged that the late start of Algeria’s domestic championship compared to other African countries has impacted the performance of locally based players. “This difference in preparation was noticeable, especially in the technical and physical levels compared to those playing abroad. However, we are committed to improving the team’s overall form in the near future,” he noted. “We are not focused on winning friendly matches, but rather on identifying our strengths and weaknesses. Video analysis will play a key role in our preparations for the next friendly game.”
The national team will have another chance to test their readiness against Senegal in a second friendly, scheduled for Friday at 15:00 local time at the Harcha Hassan Arena in Algiers.
Preparations in Full Swing
The team has been in a training camp since October 10, which will run until October 27, with 22 players from the top-tier national league participating. These include five players from the reigning league champions, Ittihad El Abiar, and another five from Boumerdes Women’s Club, the winners of the 2024 Algerian Cup. On Monday, two players who compete in the French league, Kamelia Slimani and Sabrina Betzer from Cannes Mandelieu, joined the squad to bolster the lineup.
Upcoming Fixtures in the African Championship
Algeria will kick off its African Championship campaign against Cape Verde on Wednesday, November 27, at 11:00 AM (Algerian time). The team will then face Egypt in the second match at 17:00, followed by games against Congo, Senegal, and Kenya.
The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, with the top four teams in the overall tournament standings qualifying for the 2025 World Championship in Germany and the Netherlands.
Stay tuned for more updates on Algeria’s journey in the African Championship at DZWATCH.DZ.
Author: nor-eleslam
Algeria women’s handball team semi-final goal
