Karim Benzema Tips Algeria to Win 2015 AFCON
As the 30th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on January 17 in Equatorial Guinea, Real Madrid star Karim Benzema has named Algeria as his favorite to lift the trophy.
Speaking to APS on the sidelines of the Club World Cup in Marrakech—which Real Madrid won—the French international, whose parents are of Algerian origin, praised the Fennecs:
“Algeria has a very good team. They proved it at the last World Cup. They have a squad full of talent and are truly capable of winning the African trophy at the next CAN, even though they have inherited a difficult group,” Benzema said.
Currently Africa’s top-ranked nation in the FIFA standings, Algeria is placed in Group C, dubbed the “Group of Death,” alongside South Africa, Ghana, and Senegal.
Algeria will begin their 2015 AFCON campaign against South Africa on January 19. The 1990 champions are looking to make a strong comeback after a group-stage exit in 2013.
With expectations high and a talented squad, Algeria enters the tournament as one of the most feared teams—and with Benzema’s backing, the pressure is on to deliver.
