Two weeks before the start of the African Cup of Nations, the Algerian coach, Djamel Belmadi, affirmed that the Fennecs were not to be classified among the favorites.
Victorious in the African Cup of Nations in 2019, Algeria failed in its fight to retain its title two years later, during a competition ultimately won by Senegal. At the dawn of the 2024 edition, Djamel Belmadi took stock of the situation of his selection, putting the chances of success in perspective with those of the other potential candidates for final victory. And for the Algeria coach, his team simply cannot be classified among the favorites.
Present this Sunday in front of the press, the one who directs the Fennecs since 2018 has delivered his point of view in comments relayed by RMC. “ The CAN favorites are often the same and we know them: Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria and the Ivory Coast which is for me a big favorite which will play at home. » And Djamel Belmadi talks about his selection and his recent history. “ We did not qualify for the World Cup (2022), we came out in the first round of the last CAN and you have told me that enough. So, de facto, we are not favorites. »
Optimism and caution
However, the tactician did not hide a certain optimism, with also a warning intended for his players. “ I see a lot of similarities between our 2019 squad and today. But we will have to make common cause, united and disciplined beings. (…) The objective will never change: to go further and win. » Placed in Group D, Algeria will face Angola (January 15), Burkina Faso (20) and Mauritania (23), opponents a priori within its reach.
