Otto Pfister Focuses on USM Alger’s CAF Champions League Campaign Amid Uncertain Future
Despite uncertainty over his long-term future at USM Alger, head coach Otto Pfister remains fully committed to preparing the club for the upcoming CAF Champions League group stage.
Having secured qualification for the tournament’s group phase, Pfister and his team are already turning their attention to the competition, which is scheduled to begin at the end of June. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, the German coach expressed his preference for hosting USM Alger’s continental fixtures at the iconic July 5 Stadium in Algiers.
“Obviously, there is nothing better than playing on a natural grass pitch,” Pfister said, as reported by Radio Algeria. “If given the opportunity to play at the July 5 Stadium, I would be the first to support that.”
USM Alger find themselves drawn in Group B alongside fellow Algerian sides ES Sétif and MC El Eulma, as well as Sudan’s Al-Merrikh. Their group stage campaign will kick off with an away trip to face reigning champions ES Sétif between June 26 and 28.
Pfister’s comments underline his focus on sporting preparation, even as questions remain about his contract, which is set to expire in December 2015. Club management is expected to make a final decision regarding his future once the domestic season concludes.
For now, the priority is clear: readying the “Rouge et Noir” for what promises to be a fiercely competitive continental campaign.
