The departure of African players for the African Cup of Nations is often dreaded by many clubs and coaches. That's because their squads are stripped of key players. And this often has an impact on group dynamics. However, in some cases, such as that of Algerian international Adam Ounas, this can be a beneficial break for the team when the player returns.
Prior to AFCON 2023, Adam Ounas was experiencing a difficult league campaign with his club Lille. He had suffered a series of injuries and setbacks, which had a knock-on effect on his form when he returned, and in turn on his confidence. He was even downgraded in favour of team-mate Edon Zhegrova.
Well, the player summoned to Algeria's squad for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations after the country's elimination in the group phase has, against all expectations, returned sharp and in good physical shape, as his club's staff were pleasantly surprised to note. For the player, this was due to the winter pre-AFCON preparation with the Fennecs squad. "It was very, very hot, and we prepared well, which also enabled me to sharpen up a bit. Today, I'm very happy to be back on track," he said.
"He's the Ounas we've been waiting for all along, and he's finally understood. He's the real Ounas, full of talent, a different player. He came back really motivated from the African Cup of Nations, perhaps also because he's at the end of his contract. I said to him: listen, you can be the biggest reinforcement in January. When he works like that, he's obviously a different player. He's also lost weight. But the main thing is in his head," enthuses his coach Paulo Fonseca (50).
Adam Ounas also had a mental breakthrough on his return from the African Cup of Nations. The Algerian admits that he was thinking a lot at the start of the season."The first part of the season was difficult for me, I was still a bit afraid of getting injured, afraid of giving it my all. In (summer) preparation, I was doing well physically, but there was that little injury at Brentford (in a friendly) which knocked me back a bit. At the back, yes, I'm someone who puts on a bit more weight than the others, so it's complicated. You have to be careful to give it your all to be even sharper."
Adam Ounas reveals that preparation for the AFCON has done him a world of good, both physically and mentally. "We worked a lot on sprints to be able to repeat them in matches, and I tried to be less scared. Little by little, the fear has diminished and now I try to give my all when I'm on the pitch", he points out.
This mental change on his return from Côte d'Ivoire was apparent to his coach Paulo Fonseca, who made an observation to that effect. The player, who used to be reluctant to play on the left, is no longer reluctant to play there."If in the past he said he didn't really like it, now he's showing me he's ready to play in that position."
Expected to be more decisive
Current expectations of the player, who is enjoying good momentum, include him being more decisive (he has scored 1 goal since the start of the season). The main thing is to win games," he says, "and the statistics will come later. Since his return from Côte d'Ivoire, the Algerian attacking midfielder or winger has played 5 rather convincing games, including 3 as a starter.The last of these was the away match against Toulouse on Sunday February 25. Adam Ounas started as a regular. He played the entire match, but unfortunately the team lost (3-1).
🎙️Les mots d'Adam Ounas en conférence de presse !
— ⭐️Squadra Khadra🇩🇿 (@Squadra213) February 24, 2024
