The Algerian U17 national team continues its rigorous preparations for the North African Football Union (UNAF) tournament, experiencing setbacks with two recent friendly match losses against Sudan.
The decision to hold a training camp in mid-July has sparked discussions among football experts. Many question the timing, given that the qualifiers for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) are scheduled for November 10-19 in Morocco.
Critics argue that organizing intensive training sessions during the hottest part of the year, without immediate competitive deadlines, may not be the most effective strategy.
They suggest that starting the season earlier for youth categories, providing them with more match experience before intense training camps, would be more beneficial.
Despite these concerns, the technical staff, under the leadership of Aziz Lahoussine, decided to proceed with the July training camp.
The camp included two friendly matches against Sudan, both resulting in defeats for the young Algerian squad.
The first match, held at the Mustapha Tchaker Stadium in Blida, saw Algeria lose 1-2. Youcef Bendouab scored the initial goal, but Sudan equalized and secured the win.
The second encounter, also at the same stadium, ended in a 2-3 defeat. Benaïssa Fettouche scored from a penalty, giving Algeria a lead that was once again overturned by the resilient Sudanese team.
Despite the losses, the technical staff remains committed to refining the team’s performance. Lahoussine’s squad is scheduled for more training camps and friendly matches, aiming to build cohesion and improve competitiveness ahead of the UNAF tournament and AFCON qualifiers.
The goal is to prepare the young players thoroughly to face strong opposition from other North African teams.
These preparatory matches and training sessions are seen as crucial for developing the team’s skills and strategies.
The technical team hopes that continuous efforts will lead to better results and that the young players will gain invaluable experience.
The objective is to ensure the team can perform admirably and secure a strong position in the upcoming tournaments.
In conclusion, while the current phase has been challenging for the U17 national team, the ongoing preparations are expected to pay off in the long run.
The focus remains on providing these young athletes with the necessary training and match experience to compete at the highest levels in their age category.
