Confident Algeria Eye Perfect Finish to CAN 2015 Qualifiers
With qualification already in the bag, Algeria’s national team is heading into the final two matches of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers with confidence—and caution.
Christian Gourcuff’s Fennecs, the first team to secure a spot at next year’s tournament, will host Ethiopia on November 15 in Blida, before travelling to Bamako to face Mali four days later. Having won all four of their group matches so far, Algeria stands tall as the only side with a perfect record at this stage.
Despite already sealing their place in the finals, Gourcuff has insisted that his team’s competitive edge will not waver. “We will approach the two remaining matches with the same state of mind. Our objective will be to win them both,” the French manager told Algerian news agency APS. “There will be little room for demobilisation, even if our goal has already been achieved.”
While Algeria’s progress may seem smooth on paper, Gourcuff is not underestimating the challenges ahead. Ethiopia, fighting for their last chance to stay in contention for qualification, pose a serious threat in the upcoming clash. “They are a team that plays counterattacks very well. So we have to be very careful,” he warned. “Already, in the first leg, they caused us a lot of problems.”
Gourcuff also views the final group fixture in Mali as a crucial benchmark for the team ahead of the main tournament in January. “It will be a kind of revealing test before the CAN, because we will have to do battle with a good Malian team, moreover very athletic,” he said.
Under Gourcuff’s guidance, Algeria has adopted a fluid, attacking style of play, and their consistency throughout the qualifiers has made them one of the early favourites for the title in 2015. A resounding 3-0 victory over Malawi in their last outing reflected not only their attacking prowess but also a growing maturity in managing matches.
Still, the manager is focused on fine-tuning the squad’s tactical discipline. “Now that we have secured our qualification, we hope to further improve our way of playing,” Gourcuff said, noting visible progress in recent performances.
With morale high, squad depth tested, and tactical cohesion improving, Algeria will be aiming to end the qualification phase on a high. For Gourcuff, these remaining fixtures are more than formalities—they’re vital preparation for a continental title bid that grows more credible by the day.
