Online Reporter
ALGERIA coach Madjid Bougherra has made it clear that his team’s objective at the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship is nothing less than lifting the trophy.
Speaking from East Africa, where the tournament is being staged, the former Fennecs defender emphasised that every coach must approach each match with the intention to win, regardless of the competition.
Bougherra, who led Algeria to the CHAN 2023 final on home soil, believes that African talent is the backbone of European football and urged local players to have faith in their ability to shine on the biggest stages.
In an exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, he reflected on Algeria’s start to the tournament, shared his thoughts on the strength of the opposition, and praised CAF for its organisation of the event.
The 41-year-old also spoke about his side’s approach, the lessons from last year’s final defeat to Senegal, and the pride he takes in representing Africa.
Passionate in his outlook, Bougherra insists that while the mission will be difficult, Algeria has the quality, ambition, and determination to go all the way. The Desert Foxes face Guinea in Group C this afternoon before South Africa meet Niger later in the evening.
Meanwhile Mauritania edged a bruising, high-stakes CHAN Group B tie 1-0 against 10-man Burkina Faso in Dar es Salaam, Alassane Diop’s first-half penalty enough to settle a contest shaped by a VAR red card and frantic late defending.
El Mami Tetah won the decisive spot-kick deep into first-half stoppage time after Kalifa Nikièma tangled with the winger in the area; following a review, Moroccan referee Jelly Chavane pointed to the spot and Diop drove low into the left corner.
It crowned a chaotic end to the half that had already seen Abdoulaye Touré dismissed for violent conduct, upgraded to red after another VAR check.
The result follows Madagascar’s 2-0 win over Central African Republic earlier in the day and lifts Mauritania to seven points from four matches, second behind hosts Tanzania.
Burkina Faso remain on three points and, with only one game to play, can no longer catch the top two — their CHAN campaign is effectively over given the standings after Wednesday’s action.
A half that turned on discipline and video reviews
With both sides told this was “must-win” territory in the pre-match build-up, the opening exchanges were predictably combative.
Burkina Faso threatened in a flurry on 14 minutes: Issouf Kaboré and Abdoul Abass Guiro saw efforts blocked before Ousmane Siry’s drive was clawed away by Abderrahmane Sarr; Papus Ouattara twice headed off target soon after. Mauritania steadied and carried a growing set-piece threat.
Patrick Malo was cautioned for a heavy challenge on Tetah before tempers boiled over: Touré’s off-the-ball offence on Moulaye Al Khalil initially drew yellow, then red after review.
The Stallions’ discipline unravelled again in added time. Issouf Kaboré fouled Tetah on the halfway, Nikièma then felled the winger in the box and, after a lengthy VAR check (45+6), Diop did the rest from 12 yards. — cafonline.com
