Algeria’s captain and ex-Manchester City player, Riyad Mahrez, is confident that a combination of thorough preparation, good fortune, and experience holds the key to clinching victory in the Africa Cup of Nations.
“Whichever country is the best prepared and enjoys a little bit of luck will go all the way,” the 32-year-old winger told reporters.
“Experience is also a major factor. I and many teammates in the Algerian squad know all about the Cup of Nations.
“Making a good start is often crucial. We beat Kenya in our opening match in 2019 and won the tournament. We drew with Sierra Leone three years later and flopped.”
Mahrez, originally from France, departed the Premier League for the lucrative Saudi Pro League this year. He played a pivotal role in Algeria’s victory in the 2019 Cup of Nations in Egypt. However, he was also part of the squad that performed poorly in defending the title in Cameroon two years ago, facing elimination after the initial round due to losses against Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast.
At the upcoming 2024 finals in the Ivory Coast’s commercial capital, Abidjan, Algeria, comprising a blend of 2019 veterans and new talents, is expected to lead Group D as favorites. They head the group, which includes Burkina Faso, a team with multiple second, third, and fourth-place finishes in their last four appearances, alongside underdogs Angola and Mauritania.
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