Roselene Khezami: From Beach Soccer Prodigy to Algeria Game-Changer

At the final whistle in Casablanca, Roselene Khezami stood calm and composed, but within, pride surged. The 23-year-old centre-back had just anchored Algeria to a result that echoed far beyond 90 minutes, a historic 0-0 draw against nine-time African champions Nigeria. With it, a first-ever progression to the knockout stage of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

For a footballing nation that had fallen short in all nine previous WAFCON appearances since their debut in 2004, the moment marked a monumental breakthrough and Khezami was at the heart of it.

 “It was a great match and a collective effort from all of us. The result was the outcome of the teamwork,” she said after receiving her accolades.

“This is important for Algeria, and we will keep working and take things seriously because we want to play in the semi-final, which is our objective. 

"Yes, we have lost before, but we have to work harder. Next time, we will try to score against Nigeria.”

Born in Marseille, France, Khezami began her football journey in the French youth system, representing the national U-16 and U-17 teams.

But in 2021, she made a pivotal decision to switch allegiance and represent Algeria, a move that has since proven transformative for both her career and the trajectory of Algerian women’s football.

Calm under pressure, intelligent on the ball, and deeply connected to her heritage, Khezami has quickly emerged as a central figure in a side now rewriting its own story.

Khezami didn’t begin her international career at centre-back. Initially deployed as a left-back, she was later repositioned after her coach, Farid Benstiti, recognised her intelligence and composure as qualities better suited to the heart of defence.

“She grew a lot just two years with us. She played as a left back with different qualities, and I decided to play her as a central defender,” said Benstiti.

“It’s not easy to change a player’s position, but she works very hard and is clever. I want to congratulate her not because we changed her position, but because she is talented. Her motivation is very important. She is a brilliant player. I am very happy for her.”

The tactical adjustment has since become a masterstroke. Khezami now reads the game like a seasoned veteran and leads Algeria’s backline with poise and authority.

Before commanding Algeria’s defence on grass, Khezami first made waves on sand. She starred for Marseille Beach Soccer Club, scoring three goals in 10 matches, an unconventional path for a defender, but one that gave her a unique technical edge.

Reflecting on her beach soccer roots in an interview with CAFOnline.com, she shared: “I had to shelf my professional engagement with Marseille Beach Soccer Club because of my football contract.

“But I still train with them during the holidays. I hope to return to beach soccer after I retire from football.”

That foundation sharpened her agility, spatial awareness, and ball control — all on full display against Nigeria, where she delivered 90 composed minutes, two key tackles, and 30 completed passes. In a match defined by pressure, her calmness helped Algeria hold their ground.

Before the draw in Rabat, Algeria had never managed a result against Nigeria in six meetings — suffering six defeats, conceding 19 goals, and scoring just once. The head-to-head record was brutally one-sided.

But this time, the Desert Foxes stood firm. Khezami and her teammates absorbed wave after wave of Nigerian pressure and walked off the pitch with a priceless point — and, more importantly, a breakthrough.

That result sealed Algeria’s qualification for the WAFCON quarter-finals for the first time in history, ending a streak of nine unsuccessful campaigns. It was more than just a draw, it was a declaration.

For Khezami, the journey from beach soccer prodigy to national team game-changer is only just beginning. Yet already, she has played a defining role in breaking down a wall that stood for two decades.

From the sands of Marseille to the grand stage in Morocco, her inspiring story is one of perseverance, identity, and leadership, all woven into a new era for Algerian women’s football.

And as Algeria dreams of going even deeper at WAFCON 2024, they’ll do so with Khezami, calm, composed, and commanding, still standing tall at the back.