AFCON 2023 – Neghiz: "Algeria play less flamboyant but more pragmatic football"

How do you assess Algeria's group?

It's not the toughest, but they will need to be wary. Burkina Faso will probably be the most dangerous opponents. They are a good side, used to AFCON finals and generally doing well there, as in 2022 when they finished fourth. Burkina Faso have regularly caused Algeria problems. Angola play interesting, fairly attacking football, with a certain tactical discipline. What's more, their clubs tend to do well in the African continental cups. Mauritania are at their third consecutive finals, they are improving, and they will need to be watched.

Are Algeria title contenders?

Yes. Like other teams. There are perhaps six or seven who can realistically aim to win the AFCON, including Ivory Coast and Senegal. Unlike in 2022, Algeria are not the big favourites, and that's a good thing. There will be less pressure on them. There will be some, of course, because Algerian fans want their team to win it. But less than two years ago, when they were the holders and were getting excellent results while playing well.

"Algeria have become a more pragmatic side"

Now, Algeria play perhaps less spectacular football, but they have managed to right the ship after a difficult 2022… 2022 remains a bad memory, with that failed AFCON, marked by a group-stage exit, and elimination from the World Cup by Cameroon. But the team have bounced back. They qualified without any real scares for the AFCON, they haven't lost for more than a year (0-2 in Sweden on 19 November 2022) and have also had some interesting results in friendlies, such as that win in Senegal (1-0) last September. Djamel Belmadi has also chosen to call up new players, while keeping a backbone of Mahrez, Slimani, Bennacer, Feghouli and others.

Have Algeria become a more pragmatic team?

They play less flamboyant football and they score fewer goals, everyone has noticed that. But they haven't lost for more than a year (0-2 in Sweden on 19 November 2022). They perhaps play in a more pragmatic way, even if they are capable of showing some lovely things. That is also explained by the arrival of new players who need to be integrated and by new patterns of play to be found. It takes a little time, but I believe things are moving in the right direction. The team have bounced back very well.

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Alexis Billebault