Algeria’s captain, Riyad Mahrez, exudes confidence as his team prepares for their campaign at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, aiming to overcome the disappointments of recent tournaments. The Desert Foxes, who were crowned champions in 2019 during their last AFCON appearance in North Africa, have faced challenges in the past two editions, exiting the tournament at the group stage without securing a victory.
Reflecting on these struggles, Mahrez acknowledged the team’s previous shortcomings but emphasized the need to move forward. “There is no doubt that we were not good at the last two AFCONs, but that is in the past now. All that is behind us,” he stated in Rabat, looking ahead to their opening match against Sudan. He expressed hope that this tournament represents an opportunity for redemption and improvement.
As Algeria enters the competition, they carry the expectations of being ranked as the fourth-best team in Africa, according to FIFA rankings. A strong performance in Morocco could not only revive their fortunes at AFCON but also set the stage for their upcoming participation in the World Cup in North America, marking their first appearance since 2014.
Mahrez, who now plays for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League and will turn 35 in February, is aware that these could be his final international tournaments. Despite this, he is optimistic about Algeria’s promising new talent, including VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and goalkeeper Luca Zidane, the son of football legend Zinedine Zidane. Mahrez noted, “Luca has integrated well into the squad and is trying to give everything for the team,” highlighting the importance of overcoming the pressure associated with his famous surname.
Following the match against Sudan, Algeria will face further challenges in Group E, taking on Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea. The team’s path to the knockout stage will be critical, as winning the group could lead to a confrontation with either Senegal or the Democratic Republic of Congo, while a second-place finish would result in an encounter with the winners of Group F, featuring last year’s champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
As Algeria looks to harness their past experiences to fuel their success, the upcoming matches present a significant opportunity for Mahrez and his teammates to solidify their legacy and aspire for greater achievements on the continental stage.