Sofia Guellati Explained

Sofia Guellati
Fullname:Sofia Sarah Guellati[1]
Birth Date:9 July 1992
Birth Place:Draguignan, France
Height:1.65m
Position:Centre-back
Currentclub:Rodez
Clubnumber:22
Years1:2008–2015
Clubs1:Aurillac Arpajon
Caps1:151
Goals1:44
Years2:2015–
Clubs2:Rodez
Caps2:131
Goals2:14
Nationalyears1:2016–
Nationalteam1:Algeria
Nationalcaps1:17
Nationalgoals1:2
Club-Update:9 December 2023
Nationalteam-Update:9 December 2023

Sofia Sarah Guellati (Arabic: صوفيا غيلاتي; born 9 July 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Seconde Ligue club Rodez. Born in France, she captains the Algeria women's national team.

Early life

Guellati was born in Draguignan, Var, to an Algerian father from El Tarf in the northeast of Algeria and a French mother.[2] She begins playing football at the age of six in the Draguignan club, alongside boys.

Club career

At the age of thirteen, Guellati joined a women's team in Trans-en-Provence. After a series of trials in Montpellier, she joined Étoile Sportive Arpajonnaise in Division 3 in the first year and then in Division 2 for the next six years.[3] In 2015, she signed with Rodez Aveyron Football in Division 1.[4]

After four seasons in Division 1 with Rodez, she got related to Division 2 with the club in 2019. Her team regained the top tier after winning the Division 2 championship Group B at the end of the 2021–2022 season.[5]

On February 12, 2023, against ASJ Soyaux, Sofia played her 100th league match with Rodez.[6]

International career

In February 2016, Guellati received her first call-up to the Algeria national team by the head coach, Azzedine Chih, to participate in a friendly double-header against Mali as part of the preparations for the WAFCON 2016 qualifications. On 2 February 2016, she made her debut as a starter against Mali, scoring a goal in the match.[7] [8]

In October 2021, she was part of the squad called up for two matches against Sudan in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification. On October 20, 2021, she started in the historic 14–0 victory against Sudan.[9]

Since Farid Benstiti took charge; Guellati captained Les Vertes. In April 2023, she was called up for a friendly double-header against Tanzania. On 9 April 2023, she started in the match against Tanzania at Nelson Mandela Stadium, and the Algerian team won 4–0. Then, on 11 April 2023, the captain scored the third goal for her team in a 3–0 victory over Tanzania.[10]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
ES Arpajon2008–09Division 3 Féminine15520175
2009–10Division 2 Féminine22430254
2010–1121421235
2011–122010202210
2012–1322112211
Aurillac Arpajon2013–14205205
2014–1521410224
Total1414310115144
Rodez2015–16Division 1 Féminine16130191
2016–179010100
2017–18202040
2018–1920010210
2019–20Division 2 Féminine16840208
2020–216161
2021–2217350223
2022–23Division 1 Féminine22110231
2023–24Division 2 Féminine17010180
Total1251418014314
Career total2665728129458

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Algeria201651
202120
202220
202381
Total172

International goals

Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 2 February 2016 2–1 2–2
2 11 April 2023 3–0 3–0
3 27 February 2024 2–0 3–0

Honours

Rodez

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Algeria Women's National team squad. faf.dz. Algerian Football Federation. 26 November 2023. 9 December 2023.
  2. Web site: Football : Sofia Guellati (Rodez) est en stage avec l’équipe d’Algérie. fr. 23 March 2020. centrepresseaveyron.fr. Rui Dos Santos. 9 December 2023.
  3. Web site: D1 Féminine : Sofia Guellati passe l’interview décalée. fr. 30 October 2015. rodezaveyronfootball.com. Rodez AF. 9 December 2023.
  4. Web site: D1 Féminine : deux nouvelles recrues pour le Rodez Aveyron football. fr. 23 June 2015. centrepresseaveyron.fr. Centre Presse Aveyron. 9 December 2023.
  5. Web site: Le Harve et Rodez en D1 Arkema. fr. 22 May 2022. fff.fr. French Football Federation. 9 December 2023.
  6. Web site: Rodez se remet à flot. fr. 11 February 2023. ladepeche.fr. Margot Pougenq. 9 December 2023.
  7. Web site: Amical/Dames: Algérie-Mali (2-2). fr. 2 February 2016. faf.dz. Algerian Football Federation. 9 December 2023.
  8. Web site: EN Dames : Algérie - Mali, en amical demain au CTN. fr. 4 February 2016. dzfoot.com. HMF. 9 December 2023.
  9. Web site: Éliminatoires CAN Total Energies 2022: Les Vertes s'offrent un festival de buts à Bologhine. fr. 21 October 2021. faf.dz. Algerian Football Federation. 9 December 2023.
  10. Web site: Équipe nationale féminine : Troisième succès des Vertes face à la Tanzanie (3-0). fr. 12 April 2023. faf.dz. Algerian Football Federation. 9 December 2023.