ALGERIA BRACE FOR TOUGH TEST IN LESOTHO IN 2017 AFCON QUALIFIER
Algeria’s national football team, the Fennecs, are preparing for what promises to be a challenging encounter as they travel to Lesotho for the second round of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. Despite being ranked 18th in the FIFA World Rankings, the Algerians are under no illusions about the difficulty of playing away in sub-Saharan Africa.
The match, scheduled for Sunday in Maseru, will test the Greens’ ability to adapt to unfamiliar conditions — particularly the synthetic pitch at the venue, a surface that has proven tricky for many North African sides in past qualifiers.
Midfielder Saphir Taïder, speaking to Le Buteur, emphasized the importance of preparation and adaptation:
“It’s a very difficult match that will be played on a synthetic pitch. Even though we’ve already played on a surface like this in Malawi, it’s still a new challenge. We arrived early to adapt and recover properly. We know Africa and its conditions, and we have to be ready.”
Algeria will be aiming to maintain their top spot in the group after an impressive 4-0 victory over the Seychelles in their opening fixture. Meanwhile, group rivals Ethiopia face the Seychelles and could also remain in contention with a win.
Lesotho, who are eager to make their mark, will likely view the visit of Algeria as a key opportunity to impress in front of their home fans. The Greens, however, are focused on the task ahead.
“We don’t know the opponent well,” Taïder admitted, “but we’ll study them closely. Then, it’s about concentrating on our own strengths.”
The Algerians know they cannot afford to drop points on the road if they are to secure early qualification for the tournament in Gabon. Sunday’s clash promises to be a stern test of both their quality and mental toughness.
