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Present in selection since 2012, Sofiane Feghouli will be in the finals of CAN 2019 with Algeria against Senegal this Friday, July 19th. The former Valencia player enjoyed the joy of a round of 16 in Brazil at the World Cup 2014. But also the sadness of being dismissed at the CAN 2017. In Egypt, he is one of the undisputed holders.
From our special envoy in Cairo,
The scene reveals the personality of Sofiane Feghouli. Just after Algeria qualified for the CAN 2019 final in Nigeria, the player stopped in front of a group of journalists in the mixed zone. From the first question, the confreres are already interested in another Fennec who is in their field of vision. Feghouli cuts short the interview, does not hide his annoyance, and leaves the place. He is like that, Sofiane Feghouli: whole and frank.
In 2009, while treating a serious injury, Rabah Saâdane asked him to be part of the selection to play the qualifications of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Sofiane Feghouli , who was working at the time in Grenoble, refuses. He does not intend to take the place of anyone else without being sure of his effectiveness. But he assures that he will wear the shirt of the Fennecs when he regained his best level. Already at the time, the boy was not cheating.
First selection, first goal
Finally, Vahid Halilhodžić, coach of the Fennecs from 2011 to 2014, puts his foot in the stirrup and makes his "safe guy". Feghouli arrives in 2012, without any compensation, just for the flag. From her first selection against Gambia in Banjul, for the qualification phase for the CAN 2013 in South Africa, Sofiane Feghouli scored her first goal. In the finals, Algeria is eliminated in the first round, but he scored on a penalty against Côte d'Ivoire in the third match, offering the only point to Algeria (2-2).
With the Greens, Sofiane Feghouli experienced joy and sadness. Holder at every meeting, he is part of the epic of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil where the Fennecs play a historic eighth final against Germany (defeat 2-1 ap). With her bandage on her skull and her tears at the end of the match, Sofiane Feghouli remains the symbol of the Brazilian adventure. He was the only Fennec to have played all the playoff matches of this World Cup.
But he is dismissed by Georges Leekens at the CAN 2017 in Gabon. Rabah Madjer does not use it either. In the meantime, he has been in conflict with Milovan Rajevac. The crossing of the desert with the Fennecs lasts more than a year.
Thoroughly wherever he goes
But never the former Valencia player in Spain (244 games, 42 goals and 38 assists between 2010 and 2016) will turn his back on the selection. Concluded with the Fennecs for the no-problem match against Cameroon on behalf of the fifth day of the qualifiers of the World Cup 2018, Sofiane Feghouli said " happy to wear the jersey " and " defend the colors of Algeria ." He goes on: " It's up to the players to make more effort. The machine will leave even if it's difficult for everyone. Today, we must be responsible and answer present. You have to question yourself and be humble. This is the most important thing . "
"Sosso", 29, always gives what he can wherever he goes. This season, he allowed the Galatassaray club to win the title (nine goals between December and May, including a hat-trick at Kasimpasa) and the Turkish Cup. However, the Istanbul club wanted to sell it to face financial difficulties. But impossible for Feghouli to imagine being transferred to a Gulf country or China. The native of Levallois-Perret (Hauts-de-Seine) still has the ambition to win titles and play the European Cup.
" It makes me feel good to relax in the selection. Belmadi is counting on me, I'm trying to reciprocate her on the ground taking my responsibilities. The selection reached out to me at a time when I was less well. It was important, "he said last November on the site of France Football , while he was in difficulty sports in Turkey.
" It represents perhaps the best what is expected of Algeria "
In Egypt, Feghouli never came out of the Belmadi 11, except for the third group match against Tanzania (3-0). The coach had lined up a team B. In the quarterfinals against Ivory Coast, the former member of West Ham was at the level of the imposed challenge. His technique, liveliness, and selflessness allowed the Fennecs to reach the semifinals. In passing he scored a goal.
" He's always on the job. When he plays, he plays. Djamel Belmadi gives him responsibilities and it's a framework. It's a phenomenon mentally and it always bounces. He is a very endearing boy, he has always fought for his clubs and the selection, "said journalist Asma Halimi, editor of the journal Competition.
" He's a major player, very important for this team. It represents perhaps the best what is expected of Algeria , said Djamel Belmadi on beIN Sports. He has all the values that our country has. To know the combativity, the surpassing of oneself, the taste of the effort, the aggressiveness . "
Friday night at the International Stadium in Cairo, Sofiane Feghouli should still be essential. This time, to get the second title of the Greens after the one won at home in 1990. What a challenge for the kid from the Paris suburbs.
► Also read: CAN calendar, results and rankings