Bougherra: “Everyone Will Want to Beat Algeria at the 2015 AFCON”
As Algeria prepares for the challenging task ahead at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), national team captain Madjid Bougherra has urged caution. Speaking to RMC, Bougherra acknowledged the weight of expectations placed on the Fennecs, especially after their impressive run at the 2014 World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16 before falling to eventual champions Germany.
Drawn into Group C, widely dubbed the Group of Death, Algeria faces stiff competition from Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa. Bougherra noted, “We’ll have to be very careful. Everyone is expecting us. Everyone will want to beat us.”
Despite the pressure, Bougherra remains optimistic, especially with the recent appointment of Christian Gourcuff as head coach, succeeding Vahid Halilhodžić. “Our team is starting to mature. It has gained experience. Since Gourcuff arrived, we feel that the team is starting to enjoy itself—in training and in matches.”
He praised the new coach’s approach: “He loves the ball a lot. He trusts us. He’s all about possession and tactics.”
With a new philosophy and growing confidence, Algeria aims not just to live up to expectations but to lift the continental trophy for the first time since 1990.
