Crossword Genius

Thus can Algeria provide a navigable channel (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

canal

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'channel' is the definition.
(I know that channel can be written as canal)

'thus can algeria provide a navigable' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'cal' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for canal that I've seen before include "Man-made watercourse" , "Man-made channel of water" , "Artificial waterway for barges" , "Duct" , "Aqueduct" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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