Algeria opens its 2019 Africa Cup of Nations campaign this Sunday evening with a Group C clash against Kenya, marking the beginning of what promises to be a challenging tournament for the Greens. The Harambee Stars return to continental competition after a 15-year absence, and they are determined to make a statement. Hungry for an upset, Kenya aims to test Algeria’s quality and perhaps pull off one of the first surprises of the tournament. For Algeria, the key will be to rely on their star player Riyad Mahrez while maintaining focus on advancing deep into the competition.
Speaking ahead of the match, Mahrez highlighted the difficulty of facing a relatively unfamiliar opponent. “We don’t know Kenya well. We’ve never played against them, but we’ve watched a lot of videos and played against similar teams. We’re going to give it our all,” said the Manchester City forward. He emphasized the importance of the collective over individual accolades, stating, “There’s always pressure because we play for the country. I don’t get involved in the game of who’s a great player or African Ballon d’Or winner. I’m part of a team; the most important thing is the team.”
Mahrez also addressed Kenya’s key players, including Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama. While acknowledging Wanyama’s quality, he stressed that Algeria would not focus on a single opponent. “Wanyama is a very good player, but we won’t be focused on him; there are other players with qualities in the Kenyan team,” he said, highlighting the need to remain vigilant against the team as a whole.
On his leadership role, Mahrez expressed readiness to wear the captain’s armband, embracing the responsibility both on and off the field. “I am ready for the captain’s armband. It is a responsibility, you have to be a leader on and off the field, I will take it on,” he confirmed. On the topic of Algeria’s status as a favorite, he offered perspective, noting that past tournaments demonstrated that reputation alone does not determine success: “We could have won the AFCON in 2015 and 2017 too,” he explained, underlining that it is performance on the pitch, not titles or rankings, that ultimately decides the winner.
Algeria’s immediate goal is clear: progress from Group C, which also features Senegal and Tanzania. A strong start against Kenya will be essential for building momentum and asserting their authority in a group that presents both challenges and opportunities. With Mahrez leading the line and a balanced squad behind him, the Fennecs aim to navigate the opening fixture confidently and lay the groundwork for a deep run in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
