AFCON 2015: Confident Algeria Aiming for the Title, Says Aïssa Mandi
Following a near-perfect qualifying campaign, Algeria heads into the 2015 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Equatorial Guinea as one of the tournament’s major contenders. After five consecutive wins in Group B, the Fennecs suffered a minor setback with a loss to Mali on the final day—but with qualification already secured, focus now turns fully to the continental showdown.
Algerian defender Aïssa Mandi, speaking on Canal+ Sport, emphasized the team’s ambition to go all the way:
“We have a good squad that allows us to go to Equatorial Guinea with the ambition of winning the trophy, even if we are convinced that the mission will not be easy. We will manage the competition match by match.”
Algeria’s recent performances back this confidence. Their exciting run at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, where they pushed eventual champions Germany to extra time in the Round of 16, won them admiration and revealed their growing strength on the international stage.
Despite their long wait for a second continental crown—their only AFCON title dates back to 1990 on home soil—there is a strong sense that this generation has what it takes to end that drought.
With a talented squad featuring stars from top European clubs, Algeria will enter AFCON 2015 not just as a favorite, but as a team with a clear mission: bringing the trophy back to Algiers.
