CAN 2022: Algeria wants to assert its entry ambitions against Sierra Leone
The Algerian Fennecs during CAN 2019. RFI / Pierre-René Worms
Text by: Ndiasse Sambe Follow
2 min
Reigning African champion, strong of a series of 34 matches without defeat, Algeria, starts CAN 2022 against Sierra Leone on Tuesday January 11 in Douala (13 GMT).
The Fennecs, in search of a second consecutive coronation, have no room for error in front of an opponent with a modest pedigree.
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From our special correspondent in Douala,
In 2019, at the start of the African Cup, Djamel Belmadi, coach of Algeria, had from the outset affirmed his ambition to win the CAN. He had assumed behind with a coronation in Egypt. It is therefore not for this Cameroonian edition that the technician of the Fennecs will hide: "
the objective is a second consecutive coronation
", he released Monday, January 10 at a press conference.
This is undoubtedly the first time that all of Algeria, from the national team to the supporters, including the media, has displayed collective, legitimate optimism.
The Fennecs team is
the reigning African champion
, it remains on 34 matches without defeat, it has retained the hard core of the 2019 winners, and has strengthened with some great promises like Zerrouki Ramiz, defensive midfielder (Twente, Netherlands) or Mohamed Tougay central defender (Espérance de Tunis).
So what could cause the Algerian machine to seize up?
Not even the Covid, for now, because unlike most teams in the tournament, the Fennecs had no cases on Monday.
Only left-back Ramy Benseibaini is still uncertain for Tuesday's meeting.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi and his captain Riyad Mahrez at a press conference this Monday, January 10, 2022. © RFI / Ndiassé SAMBE
"
You have to be careful
..."
Escorted by all these certainties, Djamel Belmadi and his proteges want to show Sierra Leone their "desire and ambition" as Captain Riyad Mahrez says.
The Leone Star appears to be an ideal team for an entry into the competition before the big main course called Côte d'Ivoire for the second day of group E. The Sierra Leoneans have managed the feat of dismissing Benin in the race to CAN 2022 and especially to have
held in check twice Nigeria
(4-4; 0-0) in the qualifiers of the CAN.
A line on their CV which prompts Belmadi to be cautious, if not to mistrust, in front of a selection absent from the CAN since 1996. “
We will have to be careful, it is not given to everyone to keep Nigeria in check twice. .
We are warned.
We will not take the game lightly
.
“Especially since Algeria has often missed its tournament debut, as pointed out by the coach of the Fennecs.
But in 2019, the Algerians had beaten Kenya (2-0) at the opening before chaining a convincing success in front of Senegal (0-1).
The rest, we know it ...
CAN 2022: schedule and match results
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