Carl Medjani likes what he sees from Algeria ahead of AFCON

Carl Medjani (l)

Thursday May 16, 2019. 12:15

Former Algerian international Carl Medjani says he likes what he sees from the current Fennec Foxes team as they gear up for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Under coach Djamel Belmadi, Algeria will head into the finals in Egypt not as one of the outright favourites, but their pedigree and the talent at their disposal makes the North Africans very dangerous opponents.

They open their campaign in Group C against Kenya on June 23, before playing Senegal and Tanzania on June 27 and July 1 respectively.

The 34-year-old Medjani represented Algeria at two World Cups and two AFCONs, and says that Belmadi has instilled a hunger and ‘fire in the belly’ that has been missing in recent years.

“In all the games I watched from the national team, we saw a formation that wanted to fight for each other and a great anger in the field,” Medjani told Le Buteur in an interview.

“There is a rage to conquer and I think that's what Belmadi wanted to instill in his group and it's on that foundation that we can build.

“Frankly, I'm glad to see the national team evolve this way because it was something that had disappeared in recent years.”

He went on to add, “It would be premature to talk about Algeria as a favourites to win the AFCON.

“I will say that we have a good team that has found its values and strength. It can therefore create a surprise and danger in this AFCON.

“Simply put, in the African Cup, there are always seven or eight teams that can claim the final coronation.

“I have never said that Algeria will win the AFCON, but it can do many things and I wish them all the best possible performance in Egypt.”