Manhandled by the rain, the public of Algeria-Sudan, Wednesday afternoon during the entry into contention of the Greens at the 2025 African Cup of Nations in Morocco, suddenly got excited when they saw ZinĂ©dine Zidane appear on the big screens of the Prince Moulay Hassan stadium in Rabat (22,000 seats). “Zizou”, his wife VĂ©ronique and their son ThĂ©o did not miss Luca Zidane’s debut at the CAN, the Granada goalkeeper being lined up from the start by Vladimir Petkovic.
After Alexis Guendouz withdrew from the tournament, uncertainty hovered over the identity of the Fennecs’ number 1 and the Bosnian coach finally opted for Luca Zidane, Algerian international since last October. Anthony Mandrea, the holder until last September (dismissed because he remained at SM Caen, in National), was recalled for the CAN but therefore remained on the sidelines.
Luca Zidane kept a clean sheet and did the job on Sudan’s few attempts, including bursting at the feet of an opposing striker in the first half. The Liga 2 goalkeeper has clearly earned his place. Riyad Mahrez scored twice to put his team in orbit (2nd and 61st), before a third goal scored by Ibrahim Maza at the end of the match (85th).
Petkovic likes Luca Zidane
“I think he gave confidence to the team, he is a very good player with his feet and in his outings, so I am satisfied with his performance, since it was one of his first meetings with Algeria, I think we can have a lot of confidence in him”responded (in Italian) Petkovic at a press conference about Luca Zidane.
After this perfect start, the Algerians face Burkina Faso on Sunday, against the Stallions who also won their first match against Equatorial Guinea, scoring their two goals in added time (2-1). Zinédine Zidane and his loved ones will perhaps settle in Morocco for several weeks.
