Algeria, the reigning African champions, are forced to win against Côte d’Ivoire this Thursday (January 20th) in the clash of Group E in Douala. Any other result would eliminate the Fennecs in the first round of this CAN 2022.
From our special correspondent in Douala,
It was to be a gala match for a first place, a track to the stars for the two monsters of group E who had to walk first on the small thumbs, Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea, before disputing the “beautiful”. And then boom! Earthquake for Algeria beaten (0-1) on the second day by Equatorial Guinea after being held in check by Sierra Leone (0-0). ” That’s the beauty of football. What makes this competition magical “Said Ivorian coach Patrice Beaumelle.
The Algerian edifice is cracked, but still stands, carried by a status of African champion and a series of 35 matches without defeat, certainly brutally interrupted by the Nzalang. But all this hangs by a thread on which the Fennecs will evolve against Côte d’Ivoire on Thursday January 20, 2022 from 4 p.m. UT.
“If you don’t win, you go home. »
Djamel Belmadi, the coach of Algeria, does not beat around the bush to qualify the situation of his team. ” The data is clear, unlike the first two matches, we are really in an emergency situation. If you don’t win, you go home “.
Who would’ve believed that ? Algeria, last in their group with one point in two matches and above all zero goals scored. But the African champion has not lost all of his splendor to the point of arriving unarmed and ready to be trampled by the Elephants leaders of the group. The Fennecs have done almost everything well in their first two games. Anything but… scoring. How many opportunities wasted, missed, harvested against Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea! Bad luck? Clumsiness ? Both, no doubt, but not having realized their multiple chances instills doubt in the minds of a team which had not lost since October 16, 2018.
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” Yes, we have a little more pressure, given our situation, recognizes the captain and star of the team, Riyad Mahrez. But we live with the pressure. I don’t think for a moment of losing this game. We will give everything for ourselves, our country and our family “.
Opposite, Côte d’Ivoire is in a favorable position… With 4 points, it is sure to be qualified for the round of 16 and has no pressure on its side. ” The approaches are obviously different., recognizes the Elephants coach. We can approach this meeting with less negative pressure. »
Captain Max-Alain Gradel concludes with an offensive speech: “ There will be no worst case scenario. We’re going to make the match we need. We will qualify”, he hammers.
