WAFCON Derby: Tunisia vs. Algeria - Can Tunisia Bounce Back?
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North African Showdown: Tunisia Faces Algeria in Crucial WAFCON Clash
Casablanca, 9 July 2025 – All eyes are on the Père Jégo Stadium as Tunisia and Algeria prepare for their historic first-ever meeting at the TotalEnergies CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This Group B encounter is more than just a game; it's a North African derby with significant implications for both teams.
This match marks a unique moment in WAFCON history, being the first time these two bordering nations face off in the tournament. While not the first North African fixture overall (Morocco defeated Egypt in 1998), the Tunisia-Algeria rivalry adds a new layer of intensity.
Tunisia's Struggle for Form
Tunisia enters this match under pressure after a heavy 3-0 defeat to Nigeria, their worst loss in WAFCON history. Their attacking struggles are evident, having failed to score in their last four tournament games, a scoreless streak spanning 388 minutes. Historically, Tunisia has never won their second group stage match at the finals, adding to the sense of urgency.
Their performance against Nigeria highlighted their difficulties, completing fewer than 100 passes for the first time in a WAFCON match and failing to register a single shot on target. Goalkeeper Soulayma Jebrani's six saves were a testament to the pressure Tunisia faced.
Algeria's Quarterfinal Ambitions
For Algeria, a win could secure an early spot in the quarterfinals, a feat they've never achieved before. The stakes are incredibly high for the Algerians, who are eager to make their mark on the tournament.
Team Lineups
Here are the confirmed starting lineups:
- Algeria: N’gazi, Guellati, Khezami, Bethi, Belkhiter, Karchouni, Boussaha, Boutaleb, Belloumou, Braham, Dafeur
- Tunisia: Jabrani, Alabbassi, Aouina, Sana, Houij, Shaiek, Ben Hadj, Ouni, Lamti, Zemzem, Bayahia
The Importance of the Derby
A victory for Tunisia would breathe life into their campaign and offer a glimmer of hope. A second consecutive loss, however, would make elimination a very real possibility. This North African derby promises to be a fiercely contested battle, with both teams determined to secure a crucial victory.