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West Ham United women’s team defender Inès Belloumou has been named in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2026 Team of the Tournament after helping Algeria secure a historic third-place finish. The Algeria international was a standout performer throughout the competition, starting all six matches as the Fennecs enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns in their history. Operating at left-back, Belloumou played a key role at both ends of the pitch as Algeria combined defensive solidity with attacking threat on their way to the semi-finals. Algeria opened their tournament with impressive 2-0 victories over Senegal and Kenya, keeping clean sheets in both encounters, before overcoming Ivory Coast 2-1 in the quarter-finals to book their place in the last four. Their run was eventually ended by Malawi, who claimed a 3-1 victory in the semi-finals. However, Belloumou and her teammates finished the tournament on a high, defeating hosts Morocco in the third-place play-off. After the sides could not be separated, the match went to a penalty shootout, where the Hammers defender confidently converted the winning spot-kick to secure the bronze medal for her country. The recognition continues a remarkable rise on the international stage for Belloumou, who switched her allegiance to Algeria in early 2025 after representing France at youth level. Since making that decision, she has become an important figure for the North African nation, earning 15 senior caps and scoring her first international goal. At club level, Belloumou made 18 appearances for West Ham during the 2025/26 season. The versatile defender joined the Hammers from Bayern Munich in July 2024 and has also gained valuable experience through loan spells with Lazio Women in Italy and Malmö FF in Sweden, further developing her game before earning continental recognition with Algeria. * Something to say about this story? Please visit the KUMB Forum to leave a comment.