Christian Gourcuff Sets Sights on 2015 Africa Cup of Nations with Algeria
Christian Gourcuff, who officially took charge of the Algerian national team earlier this month, has wasted no time focusing on the upcoming 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The former Lorient manager has committed to a contract with clear objectives: qualifying for the 2015 and 2017 AFCON tournaments, as well as the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Gourcuff’s immediate target is to secure Algeria’s place at the 2015 competition in Morocco. The Fennecs are drawn in a challenging group alongside Ethiopia, Mali, and Malawi, with qualifiers kicking off on September 6 in Ethiopia.
Speaking ahead of the campaign, Gourcuff acknowledged the challenges of adapting to African football. “For the moment, I can’t claim to know the African game well enough. I’ve had many African players under my guidance before, and it has always gone well. However, playing conditions in Ethiopia will be difficult – the altitude, the heat, and exhausting travel will all test us,” he said. On Ethiopia’s opponents, Gourcuff commented: “I don’t have a formal idea about this opponent yet, but between now and then, we’ll see.”
The coach also shared insights on Algeria’s other group rivals. “I know Mali quite well, as many of their players are based in Europe, particularly France. I watched Malawi during my time in Cotonou, which gave me some perspective, but it’s not enough.”
Despite his confidence, Gourcuff expressed concern over limited preparation time with the national squad ahead of the qualifiers. “To be honest, what worries me most is the lack of time to prepare ideally for the first two matches. I will count on everyone’s support to succeed in these initial tests.”
Algeria’s campaign promises to be a pivotal moment for Gourcuff and the Fennecs as they aim to reclaim their place among Africa’s elite teams.
