Following the disappointing performance at the CAN 2013, Algeria is eager to shift its focus to the upcoming 2014 World Cup. The national team, known as the Greens, aims to leave the setbacks of the African Cup of Nations behind.
One of the players, Essaïd Belkalem, a defender from Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie, experienced his first African Cup of Nations during the tournament. Despite the premature elimination of the Greens, the 23-year-old central defender views the competition as a valuable experience.
Looking ahead, Belkalem is already contemplating the upcoming match against Benin scheduled for March 22, a crucial fixture in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. He expressed his anticipation, stating, “I’m really already thinking about it, for the good reason that it’s a qualifying match for the World Cup in 2014.”
For Algerian players, qualifying for the World Cup, especially one hosted by a football powerhouse like Brazil, is a dream. Belkalem emphasizes that participating in the final phase of a World Cup is a major objective for the national team, reflecting the aspirations and ambitions of every Algerian player.
