The president of the Algerian Professional Football League, Mahfoud Kerbadj, shared his perspective on the Fennecs’ defeat against Tunisia in the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN 2013). Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about Algeria’s chances in the tournament. Here are the key points from his interview with L’Expression:
Analysis of the Defeat Against Tunisia:
- Kerbadj believes that Algeria was superior to Tunisia in the first half of the match.
- He notes that Tunisia didn’t show much to deserve the win, and Algeria was well-organized on the pitch.
- In the second half, however, the pace dropped, allowing Tunisia to regain confidence and eventually secure a win with a stroke of genius.
Optimism and Future Matches:
- Kerbadj remains optimistic about Algeria’s chances in the tournament.
- He emphasizes the importance of winning against Togo in the upcoming match, and then they will assess the results of the match between Tunisia and Ivory Coast.
- Recognizing the difficulty of the match against Togo, Kerbadj believes that Algeria has the potential to surpass themselves and put on a great performance.
- The president expresses confidence in the young Algerian team, stating that they have the capability to achieve a good career in the tournament.
Assessment of Opponents:
- Kerbadj believes that both Togo and Ivory Coast are beatable, and Algeria is not inferior to these teams.
- He highlights Togo’s commendable performance against Ivory Coast, and regarding Ivory Coast, he asserts that Algeria is better in certain areas.
Overall, Mahfoud Kerbadj’s optimism and belief in the team’s capabilities reflect a positive outlook despite the initial defeat, and he remains hopeful for Algeria’s performance in the CAN 2013.
