CHAN 2022: Madjid Bougherra wants big turnout in Oran

Madjid Bougherra wants the Olympic Miloud Hadefi stadium packed to the rafters on Tuesday 31 January. Algeria take on Niger in the semi-final of the CHAN 2022. Algeria will play in Oran for the first time since the start of the competition, and the Algerian coach is counting on the crowd's backing to reach the final. "We are at home in Oran. We travelled here from Algiers and we are delighted to see the support of the people of this beautiful city. We saw how they backed Algeria at the Mediterranean Games, so we want to experience that too," said Bougherra, with a broad smile on his face.

The host nation have played all four of their matches at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers, whereas Niger have been based in Oran since the start of the tournament. "We know Niger have played all their games here (Oran) and feel at home, but when we step onto the pitch, we want to keep making the Algerian people happy and book a place in the final. Niger have had the chance to play here, but for us, that's fine. This is our home. We have played friendlies here in Oran. We feel at home wherever we play, in Annaba, Constantine, Algiers, Oran. For us it's the same, it's normal," Bougherra insisted.

Bougherra knows how to beat Niger

Algeria fully intend to play the final of their CHAN. All the more so as Madjid Bougherra knows today's opponents inside out. "It's the semi-final. We are just one step away from the final and we will try to get there. We know how to play against Niger. We have faced them in friendlies, which we won." The coach is optimistic about his side's chances of victory, but he is treading carefully. "They are an experienced side who work well together. They play good football. It's well deserved that they have come this far and beaten Cameroon and Ghana. It's no surprise to me. We will try to play good football."

For this game, Bougherra will be without goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz, who was sent off in the quarter-final. The coach is relying on Farid Chaal to start in goal.

Also read: CHAN 2022: results and full schedule for the competition