CHAN 2022 - Bougherra: "It's the match of a lifetime for the players"

Tomorrow it's a final, the last match. How are you feeling ahead of it?

Madjid Bougherra: We've reached the first objective. We set it with the players from the start. We have one game left, one step to reach that trophy. It will be the toughest. We've recovered well, we've prepared well. This game will be very different from the semi-final. It will be a different game for both teams.

Do you think you can repeat the same performance as against Niger?

It will be a completely different game from the semi-final. We know this Senegal side. We've already played them in a friendly and drew. They're a good team. With no disrespect to the other teams, I think the two best sides are in the final. It will come down to details, it will be tight and intense. We moved on after the semi-final, we've forgotten the 5-0. Every game has its own truth.

Read more on the same subject: "CHAN 2022-Pape Thiaw: Making the Senegalese people proud"

Is this final the culmination of your work?

Madjid Bougherra: We know what we want to do in this game. We're starting again from zero in our heads. We've worked together for a year and a half to get here. I told the players it's the match of their lives. They'll have to sacrifice themselves and give everything. They're ready. We were waiting for a breakthrough game, and we had it against Niger. This game against Senegal will be tight, it will be a great celebration. We're counting on the fans. It will be a great occasion.

How do you personally feel about this final?

When you're a coach, and in your own country as well, the feelings are not the same. When I was a player I never won a title with the national team. I was able to win the Arab Cup with my club, but it's different. Winning a title for your country is exceptional. Making people happy is priceless. We'll do everything to please the fans tomorrow.

What's the atmosphere like in the squad ahead of this final?

Madjid Bougherra: We've been together for a month in Sidi Moussa. There's a family atmosphere. We're eager to get this final under way. We want to make the people happy. Some haven't played a single minute, but they know they have a role to play in the group. Everything is going very well.

You have the tournament's top scorer in your squad. Are you relying on individuals or on the collective to get past Senegal?

Today we're more of a collective. We have 2-3 individuals who can change a game, and that's what makes teams strong. Too many individuals isn't good in a team. You need a real group, able to suffer together and put in the work. That's how we're stronger.

Between your team's games in Algiers and in Oran, your side looked more relaxed in Oran. Don't you feel there's more pressure when playing in front of the Algiers crowd?

Madjid Bougherra: Not at all, it's a question of confidence. We've seen that we were getting better from game to game. We lacked a cutting edge in front of goal. I think the semi-final will take that pressure off the players. We're happy to be back in Algiers. Our players know their surroundings here, where we've played four games. And we also have the crowd pushing us on. That's how we managed to score in the last minute against Ivory Coast. On that front, all the lights are green.

Did you try to revive the memory of the 2019 AFCON, won against Senegal in the final, with the players?

Madjid Bougherra: We haven't talked about the 2019 final with the group. AFCON and CHAN are two different worlds. We're taking a different approach to communicating with the players for this final. They just need to go out on the pitch and enjoy themselves. The last time we played a final at home was in 1990. My players are determined to go all the way.