While we await Djamel Belmadi’s list of the 27 players selected for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire, Islam Slimani is already busy.
We’ll have to wait a few more days to see Algeria’s list for the CAN 2023. In the meantime, players in the various leagues are completing the final matches of 2023.
As for the Algerian team’s training camp, it will start on December 25 at the CTN Sidi Moussa in Algiers. But some players have no more matches to play, like Islam Slimani, who ended his season with Coritiba.
The Algerian international has been back with the Fennecs since October, and his good performances with the Brazilian club have enabled him to return to the Greens.
A choice that paid off, despite Coritiba’s failure to stay in the Brazilian Serie A. Ahead of the Fennecs’ selection for the African Cup of Nations, Islam Slimani has begun his individual physical preparation for Africa’s showpiece event.
He is in the company of the national team’s physical trainer, Valentin Beasse, as shown by the images revealed on social networks.
Algeria in Lomé for final preparations
Although Senegal, Ghana and Equatorial Guinea were mentioned as possible venues for Algeria’s training camp, Togo was finally chosen. This will enable the 2019 winners to acclimatize to the climatic conditions in Côte d’Ivoire.
“The national selection will carry out its preparatory training camp in Lomé, capital of Togo, from January 1 to 10, 2024”, said the Algerian Football Federation.
This means that expatriates in Europe, who will probably only be released by their clubs at the beginning of January, should go directly to Togo, without necessarily passing through Algeria.
Two final preparation matches are also on the agenda. “During their stay, the Greens will play two friendly matches, the first against Togo on Friday January 5, and the second against Burundi on Tuesday January 9”, according to the Algerian Football Federation.
The Algerians will therefore be up against two opponents who have not qualified for the CAN, and who may be fielding a reshuffled team without most of their expatriates.
“The national team delegation will travel to the town of Bouaké, in Côte d’Ivoire, on Wednesday January 10, where it will make its debut on Monday January 15 against Angola at the Stade de la Paix (20:00) in Group D of this CAN 2023″, the FAF finished. Djamel Belmadi’s team will then face Burkina Faso and Mauritania in Group D.
The Fennecs’ schedule and opponents at CAN 2023
Eliminated in the 1st round in 2022, the Fennecs have been through a traumatic experience and will want to remember more fondly the 2019 edition, which saw them lift the Grail against Senegal (0-1), thanks to a goal from Baghdad Bounedjah in the second minute of play.
On paper, the Fennecs, boosted by the new generation of Gouiri, Aouar, Chaïbi and Amoura, have the means to repeat such a performance, as evidenced by their performances in the CAN qualifiers, where they comfortably finished top of their Group F with 15 points.
In other words, Algeria dominated Group F in the CAN 2023 qualifiers. Leaders on 15 points, the Greens didn’t lose a single match, drawing one on the final day after winning five.
The Algerian team’s opponents in CAN Group D are Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
The Fennecs will play their three group matches in Bouaké. Here is the Fennecs’ schedule:
January 15, 8pm: Algeria – Angola, Stade de la Paix
January 20, 2pm: Algeria – Burkina Faso, Stade de la Paix
January 23, 8pm: Mauritania -Algeria, Stade de la Paix
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