Algeria A’ head coach Madjid Bougherra addressed the media on Friday ahead of his side’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarter-final against Sudan, scheduled for Saturday evening at 18:00 local time in Zanzibar.
Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Bougherra acknowledged the challenge posed by Sudan while emphasising the focus within his squad.
Sudan is a team we respect, he said. They have quality players and a style of play that can cause problems if we are not fully concentrated. For us, discipline and execution will be key.
The Algerian coach also confirmed the absence of midfielder Akram Bouras, who has been released from the squad following an injury sustained during the group stage.
It is unfortunate to lose a player like Akram at this stage of the competition, Bougherra admitted. He is someone who brings balance to the team, but injuries are part of football, and we must adapt.
Algeria advanced to the knockout rounds after completing their group stage campaign in Kenya, before relocating to Zanzibar for the quarter-final.
The change in setting, Bougherra explained, has not unsettled the team’s preparations.
The conditions here are different, but our group has adjusted quickly, he said. The players are motivated and fully aware of what is at stake. At this stage of the competition, every detail counts.
Bougherra’s press conference also underlined the significance of maintaining composure in high-pressure matches.
With Algeria targeting a place in the semi-finals, he stressed the importance of collective effort over individual brilliance.
We are a team built on unity, he stated. In knockout football, the margins are very small, and success comes from working together in both attack and defence.
The encounter with Sudan is expected to be tightly contested, with both teams carrying momentum from their group campaigns.
Algeria will look to impose their rhythm and draw confidence from their defensive solidity, while Sudan arrives with ambition of their own, eager to derail the Greens’ progress.
As the countdown to kick-off continues, Bougherra’s message remained clear: preparation, focus, and resilience will determine the outcome.
We know what we have to do, he concluded. The players are ready, and we will give everything to reach the next round.
Saturday’s clash in Zanzibar will decide which of the two nations advances to the last four of the competition, as the CHAN 2024 knockout stage intensifies.
