Already arrived and facing the first hiccup for the Algerian team ahead of AFCON 2023. The Fennecs had an unwelcome surprise during their training session on Ivorian soil.
On Wednesday, January 10, during the training session of the Algerian national team, a drone unexpectedly intruded. Following a call, law enforcement apprehended the pilot, who appeared to be attempting to spy on the Fennecs.
A Drone Spied on Algeria’s Training
As surprising as it may sound, a drone attempted to spy on one of the Fennecs’ training sessions. The events unfolded on Wednesday as the Algerian team had just arrived in Ivory Coast to prepare for their participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (January 13 – February 11).
The session, held in Bouaké and closed to the media, was logically interrupted by coach Djamel Belmadi after the drone incursion. The flying device seemed likely to seek information about the tactics of the 2019 African champions.
Alerted to the scene, local police intervened to apprehend the pilot, who apparently wasn’t discreet enough. The Algerian team, led by Ismaël Bennacer and Riyad Mahrez, will face Angola in their opening match (January 15) in the competition, followed by matches against Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Algeria in Good Form
As favorites in their group, the Algerian national team is inevitably one of the most anticipated in AFCON 2023. The Fennecs are in good form. Four days after dominating Togo’s A’ team with a score of 3-0, the Fennecs delivered an impressive performance, winning 4-0 in Lomé (Togo) against Burundi, concluding their preparation matches for AFCON 2023.
Despite this convincing performance, Djamel Belmadi expresses some reserve and emphasizes the need to be vigilant. He says, “We faced a robust Burundi team that presented various challenges, especially with their five-man defensive system, which is complex for all teams”.
Continuing his analysis, the coach adds, “Of course, finding free spaces on the field proves difficult. We had multiple goal-scoring opportunities and could have increased the score further. However, they had their chances, especially on set pieces, and that requires our attention. Adjustments will be necessary,” he points out in a statement relayed by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF).
Assessing his team’s overall performance, Belmadi asserts, “Overall, we dominated the match. Usually, we manage ball possession well. The key lies in our judicious use of the ball. Today, I appreciated our creativity and offensive initiatives. However, we need to improve our finishing. We could certainly have scored several more goals,” concludes the coach from Champigny-sur-Marne.
Algeria Not Favored, According to Djamel Belmadi
Despite his team’s promising performances, Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi stays grounded and refuses to consider his team as favorites for the upcoming AFCON. He emphasizes that their recent successes do not automatically place them at the top of the title contenders.
“The teams often mentioned as favorites for AFCON are well identified: Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and especially those playing at home,” notes Belmadi. He adds, “No certainty can be established regarding the tournament’s outcome. Let’s remember that we failed to qualify for the World Cup, and our performance in the last AFCON was disappointing. That’s why, in my opinion, we are not considered favorites.”
While acknowledging the Algerian team’s past successes, including their triumph in the 2019 AFCON, the coach insists on the need to remain modest in the face of expectations. The Fennecs will kick off their AFCON adventure on January 15 against Angola, aiming to demonstrate determination and caution.
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