Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra
Doha: Madjid Bougherra has shrugged off the favourites tag ahead of Algeria’s FIFA Arab Cup Group D opener against Sudan at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium today.
The former Qatar Stars League champion with Lekhwiya (now Al Duhail) said his Algerian side are confident of going all the way and are not worried about other teams.
“When you start a competition, everyone can be a favourite because everyone starts on the same footing. For my part, I have no pressure, just a great desire to start. I cannot already calculate who we could play in the quarter-finals, for where we will finish. We play the matches to win them, without looking at what is happening next,” Bougherra told the media yesterday.
The African champions have won three of their last five matches and drawn two, scoring 17, and have conceded just two goals. Arguably the most in-form team in the tournament, Bougherra stressed the importance of starting well against a Sudanese side hungry to prove itself.
“The first game of the competition is always very important to start well. We have prepared well to start the tournament in good shape against Sudan. We are ready for the pressure, we have the experience, and the players handle it very well every time. Many teams want to beat us, and it is part of the job,” he added.
The Desert Foxes would be banking on Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah and Tayeb Meziani and several young players without inspirational captain Riyad Mahrez to power the team to glory with Egypt and Lebanon still to come.
“We have been waiting for this Arab Cup for some time. We have been together since November 27, and I felt my players very concerned and very motivated. This competition also prepares us for the FIFA World Cup, which will be played here, allowing us to see young players that few know of and test them at the highest level. Being here is a great opportunity,” Bougherra, who takes charge of his maiden tournament as coach, stated.
Opponents Sudan are on a winless run of two defeats and three draws in five matches. Against their much-fancied rivals today, the Sudanese defence will have an uphill battle, having shipped 10 goals in their last five games.
French coach Hubert Velud said his side face a difficult challenge, but it is a chance for the team to raise their level. With a large Sudanese community in Qatar, the Falcons of Jediane would be cheered on in significant numbers.
“All matches represent a challenge for the Sudanese team, and we have worked hard to be here. All the players aim to raise their level and reach the highest technical level, and international matches give us the opportunity to raise our technical level,” Velud said.
“The team had a goal before this tournament, which is to qualify for it, and we have prepared well. The tournament will also help us ahead of the African Cup of Nation next month.”
Meanwhile, Sudan captain Nasr El Din Al Shugail who is set to retire after the African Cup of Nations, said competing at a FIFA World Cup stadium will motivate the players to be at their best.
“The goal of the Sudanese team in the tournament is to be at its best, especially with our young players who have gained experience in the team’s previous matches. To compete in the 2022 World Cup stadiums will have an impact on the level of players and give the teams impetus to give their best,” Al Shugail said.
Algeria and Sudan will kick off Group D matches at 1 PM Doha time, while the Al Thumama Stadium will host Egypt and Lebanon at 4 PM.
