West Ham United women’s team left-back Inès Belloumou has spoken of the pride she has to play for Algeria in her first Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
The 24-year-old previously represented France U23s before switching her international allegiance midway through the 2024/25 campaign, and subsequently made her Algeria debut in February in a convincing 5-0 victory over South Sudan.
In June, Belloumou, who signed for the Hammers last summer, received the call-up to Farid Benstiti’s squad for the 15th edition of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, which - held in Morocco - commenced on Saturday 5 July.
Algeria, going in search of their first Women's Africa Cup of Nations title, got their Group B campaign underway on Sunday with a 1-0 win against Botswana at Stade Père Jégo. Belloumou started for Les Fennecs and played all 90 minutes in Casablanca, as Ghoutia Karchouni’s tenth-minute strike proved enough to get Algeria off to a winning start.
“For me, it means a lot to play for Algeria,” said Belloumou. “It’s the first Africa Cup [of Nations] for me, and it’s [being held] just beside our country, so that makes it really special.
“I’m really proud to play for Algeria. I think my family is prouder than me! Half of my family are from Algeria, so they are really proud and happy. They come to watch our games whenever they can. It’s something really special and unique.”
As well as Botswana, nine-time winners Nigeria and Tunisia accompany Algeria in Group B, and the record holders clinched a 3-0 victory in their opening game on Sunday. But Belloumou views all three group-stage opponents equally ahead of Algeria’s return to Stade Père Jégo to face Tunisia on Thursday 10 July (kick-off 5pm BST).
She added: “We cannot say, ‘This team is not good; this team is good,’ because everyone can beat everyone. That makes it really exciting. I think it'll be a tight group stage, but we have a really good team."
During 2024/25, Belloumou spent time on loan at Italian side SS Lazio before joining Swedish club Malmö FF for the second half of the season and thrived for the Damallsvenskan outfit.
Making 14 appearances across all competitions, Belloumou scored a stunning free-kick in her final game for Malmö, helping them clinch a 1-0 victory at home against IF Brommapojkarna to keep them third in the standings ahead of the summer break.”
🔥 Belloumous frispark!pic.twitter.com/x7H9E50mUw
— Malmö FF (@Malmo_FF) June 22, 2025
“The coach, the staff, the girls, and the Swedish people were [all] really nice with me, and I found my balance," said Belloumou. "I was a new Inès, and I played how I could play, and what the coach wanted from me, I could do it.
“I have so many things to say about Sweden and the players I played with in Malmö. I played with really good players, both young [players] and [players] with so much experience. Everyone was really good, and I could learn from everyone.
“I didn’t expect to play in two countries this season, so it was quite strange but not that hard [to adapt to] because I’m used to moving and learning from everyone. I’m someone who likes to watch what everyone is doing, and then I can learn and use it in my game."
Speaking on her return to West Ham following the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, she added: “I’m really looking forward to wearing the jersey and making West Ham fans proud. [I can’t wait to] start my life in London and be the best version of myself.”
