Algerian striker Amin Chiakha targets AFCON place as final selection window opens
Amin Chiakha says he will use the next month to prove he deserves a place in Algeria’s squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
The forward, who regained confidence and form in Denmark, speaks openly about his determination to secure a call-up for a tournament he has dreamed of playing since childhood.
“I wasn’t called up for the last training camp, and that disappointed me,” he says. “But I have a month left to prove my worth.
Playing in the AFCON would be an immense joy for me.” Chiakha emphasises that he enters every match with maximum motivation as he pushes for a spot on the final list.
He also says he feels ready to give up his winter break in the Danish league if he receives the call.
The AFCON schedule overlaps with the league’s pause, which means a selection would cut significantly into his holiday period.
Chiakha says that detail does not worry him. “I might not get a proper break, maybe just a week after the tournament. It’s not important. The AFCON comes first.”
Chiakha acknowledges the reasons behind his previous omission. He says his club struggled during a difficult period, and that situation affected his individual performances.
His recent resurgence, highlighted by a strong showing against Copenhagen, gives him confidence that he can continue to build momentum and impress the national staff. “If I continue to work at this pace, I can’t do anything more to prove my place,” he says.
His ambition extends beyond the upcoming continental tournament. Chiakha says he aims to represent Algeria at the World Cup one day, and he views participation in both competitions as part of the path he hopes to follow.
