Mohamed Raouraoua Turns the Page on CAN 2017 Snub: “Let’s Focus on Winning in Gabon”
Three weeks after the disappointment of losing out on the hosting rights for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Mohamed Raouraoua, president of the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), has called for unity and forward thinking. Speaking at a ceremony honoring the finalists of the 2015 Algerian Cup, Raouraoua made it clear that it was time to move on from the controversy.
“The failure to award this competition to Algeria is a thing of the past,” said Raouraoua, in comments relayed by Le Buteur. “We must now think about the future and prepare our team, particularly for the CAN-2017 qualifiers which begin next June. I think we have the means to go and win the trophy in Gabon. We are capable of it.”
Despite strong infrastructure and a passionate fan base, Algeria lost the hosting bid to Gabon, a decision that angered many Algerian supporters who felt the country was more than ready to welcome Africa’s biggest tournament. However, Raouraoua emphasized the need to channel that frustration into sporting ambition.
With a talented generation led by stars like Yacine Brahimi, Riyad Mahrez, and Sofiane Feghouli, Algeria will enter the CAN 2017 qualifiers among the top contenders. Raouraoua’s comments suggest that the federation’s focus will now shift entirely to on-field success, with winning the trophy in Gabon as the new objective.
The Desert Foxes, who impressed at the 2014 World Cup and reached the quarter-finals at CAN 2015 in Equatorial Guinea, will begin their qualifiers in June 2015, aiming to lift the continental title for the first time since 1990.
