In an interview, Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet revealed how to stop the Algerian team, one of the most formidable nations in Africa, not least because of its XXL squad.
In a few days’ time, the African Cup of Nations kicks off in Côte d’Ivoire. Over the course of almost a month of competition, 24 teams will use their strength and strategy to succeed Senegal on the list of winners. So who will win the prestigious grail on the evening of 11 February? While everyone is waiting for the answer, the various teams involved in the competition are continuing to prepare. Some coaches have unveiled their lists, while others are trying to lend a hand to their counterparts. Such is the case with Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet, who showed the other teams how to stop Algeria.
Tom Saintfiet explains how to stop Belmadi’s team
Despite being eliminated at the group stage of the 2022 African Cup of Nations in Cameroon and missing out on the last World Cup, Algeria, along with Senegal, remain serious contenders to walk away from Ivory Coast with the African Cup of Nations trophy. From attack to goalkeeping, the Fennecs have an XXL squad with a wealth of quality. A team that is frightening when it finds its game. But Gambia coach Tom Saintfiet knows how to stop them. He revealed this in an interview with journalist Sacha Tavolieri, reported by Dzfoot.
“When we play Algeria, we have to give them the ball. That’s not a problem, but we have to play compactly and maybe do something on the counter-attack. Algeria are a very tactically intelligent team and you can’t give Amoura space. You have to play intelligently and not let the team use their talents,” said Tom Saintfiet.
Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania now know how to make things difficult for the Greens in Group D.
Tom Saintfiet sets the tone for Gambia’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaign
Quarter-finalists at the last Africa Cup of Nations, Gambia are one of the teams to watch at the next edition. The Scorpions have been drawn in Group C alongside Cameroon, defending champions Senegal and Guinea. It’s a tough group for Gambia, but one that Tom Saintfiet is not at all afraid of. In an interview with Afrikfoot, the Belgian coach sent a strong message to the other teams.
We’re in the group of death with reigning African champions Senegal and semi-finalists Cameroon,” admitted the 50-year-old. There’s also Guinea, with one of Germany’s top scorers (Sehrou Guirassy). It’s a very tough group. But as a coach with my team, we never go into a match with the idea of losing it. We want to win every game and qualify for the 2nd round. We know that it will be more difficult than at the last Africa Cup of Nations. There are reasons for that. We were a surprise team in Cameroon but now everyone knows our qualities.
We have a few injured players, players without clubs, we’re not the same team, we only have three players who play in the first division in the eight best leagues in Europe. We don’t have top-class players like Senegal, Cameroon and Guinea. But we’re going into this tournament with the ambition of performing miracles. We’re very realistic, we know it’s going to be very difficult, but we’re here to achieve good results.
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