Rabeh Madjer, the African Ballon d’Or winner and former Algerian international, has expressed concerns about the Algerian national team’s readiness for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (CAN). Here are the key points from his interview:
- Concerns About Team’s Preparation:
- Madjer is apprehensive about the effectiveness of the Algerian national team at the CAN.
- He expresses doubts and fears, particularly regarding the team’s preparation, citing significant changes and a lack of a stable backbone.
- Team Changes and Preparation:
- Madjer notes that the coach recently called 40 players, which he finds excessive.
- He believes that, ideally, a month before the CAN, the team should have a well-defined lineup, and there should be African preparation matches.
- Friendly Match Against Bosnia:
- Madjer criticizes the friendly match against Bosnia, emphasizing difficult weather conditions.
- He suggests that such matches may not provide the best preparation for the team.
- Favorites for CAN:
- Madjer considers Ivory Coast as the favorite for the CAN, emphasizing that football is unpredictable.
- Despite the favorites, he acknowledges that other teams like Ghana, South Africa (as the organizing country), and even Algeria could perform well if they advance past the first round.
The concerns raised by Madjer highlight the importance of effective preparation and stability within the team, especially as they approach a major tournament like the African Cup of Nations. The unpredictability of football tournaments is also acknowledged, where unexpected outcomes can occur.
