AFCON 2017 Qualifiers: Algeria Travel to Lesotho with Confidence and Conquest in Mind
Algeria head into their second AFCON 2017 qualifier against Lesotho this Sunday with a clear mission — securing another victory in Group J to solidify their path toward qualification.
The match will be held at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, where coach Christian Gourcuff will stick to his favored 4-4-2 formation. Up front, the attacking duo of Islam Slimani and Riyad Mahrez is expected to lead the charge for the Desert Foxes, while the midfield sees the notable return of Walid Mesloub. The Lorient midfielder is making his comeback to the national setup five years after his initial call-up in 2010 and will be paired with Saphir Taïder in defensive midfield.
Speaking ahead of the match, Mesloub expressed confidence in the squad’s mindset.
“We’re approaching this match with the spirit of a conqueror — I’d even say a favorite,” he told Le Buteur. “Everyone knows that Algeria now has a status that must be honored. We’ll travel to Lesotho with maximum confidence and without the slightest apprehension, even if we know the conditions there may be complicated. But we’ll try to adapt.”
Algeria opened their campaign with a comfortable 4-0 win over Seychelles, while Lesotho fell 2-1 to Ethiopia, making this clash a must-win for the hosts.
The squad has been training in a calm and focused atmosphere, with Mesloub adding,
“We still have a few days of preparation left, and we hope to be at our best this Sunday.”
A victory in Maseru would put Algeria in firm control of Group J and reinforce their status as one of Africa’s most consistent sides in recent years.