Following the draw for the CAN 2013 groups, Algeria found itself placed in Group D, which has been labeled the “group of death.” The Fennecs are set to face tough competition against Ivory Coast, Tunisia, and Togo in this challenging pool.
Algeria’s coach, Vahid Halilhodzic, expressed his disappointment with the draw, describing it as unfavorable for his team. He acknowledged the difficulty of the group, especially with strong opponents, and emphasized the need for his team to deal with the challenges. Despite the tough draw, Halilhodzic maintained optimism, pointing to Algeria’s recent good results and expressing hope that the team would continue its positive momentum in the CAN.
Regarding Ivory Coast being the favorites in the group, Halilhodzic acknowledged their strength and predicted they would likely win all three matches. He dismissed the idea of seeking revenge against Ivory Coast, stating that it would not be a personal vendetta for him, and the focus should be on supporting the team in the quarter-finals.
It’s worth noting that Halilhodzic had a previous coaching stint with Ivory Coast, but he was sacked in March 2010 following the team’s defeat to Algeria in the CAN quarter-final. Despite the past, Halilhodzic emphasized that facing Ivory Coast would be a challenging and special match.
