Algeria coach Bougherra banking on Oran support for Niger clash
Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra is confident that his side can overcome Niger in the semi-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 on Tuesday.
The Desert Foxes trainer believes the support of the home crowd in Oran will be crucial when they play the last four match even though it is the first time they would be playing in the Algerian city.
The host nation has recorded four 1-0 wins in four games playing at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers but have to move from the city to play their last four match.
Bougherra is positive that the venue change will not affect their title charge as they also enjoy massive support in the city of Oran.
“We are at home in Oran. We have travelled here from Algiers, and we are excited to see the support of the people of this beautiful city. We saw how they supported Algeria in the Mediterranean Games so we want to experience this too,” Bougherra said with a big smile on his face.
“We know that Niger have played all their games here and feel at home but when we get to the pitch, we want to continue making the people of Algeria happy and to book a place in the final.
"Niger have had the opportunity to play here but for us it is fine. It is our home. We played some friendly games here in Oran. We feel at home anywhere we play in Annaba, Constantine, Algiers, Oran. For us, it is the same. It is normal.
"In the knock-out stages, every game is important. Niger have played one less game and we have been following them closely. We felt that the team was getting tired towards the end of their last game but in the semi-finals, every game is psychological and not how tired one is. We shall play the game as it is and we hope to win.
"It is the semi-final game. We only have one more step away from the final game and we shall try to achieve that. We know how to play against Niger. We have played them in friendly games that we won.
The Algeria coach refused to play down the strength of their opponents insisting the progress of the Niger team is no fluke.
"It is a team that has experience and that works together. They have a nice game. It is well deserved that they have come this far and that they won against Cameroon and Ghana. It is not a surprise to me. We will try to play a beautiful game, Bougherra said.
"We have watched Niger’s games. We have played against them before. We know what to expect. We have studied their games before and now. We are well prepared and optimistic about the next game.
"These are unique moments. You have seen the fans at the stadium. Tickets sold out in five hours and we want to reward them for the love and support.
"Niger play without pressure. They are strong and aggressive with confidence and no stress. We know their style. We know how they score.
Algeria will be without first choice goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz who was sent off in the 20th minute of their quarter-final tie against Côte d’Ivoire. His replacement Farid Chaal who kept a clean sheet will be in goal according to Bougherra.
“I have great goalkeepers in the team that can play well and this is an added advantage. Fate has made it possible for Farid Chaal to play this game. He kept a clean sheet. He is still young, but he will be playing in the semifinal,” said Bougherra.
“In football, one needs to be patient regardless of how difficult it is. Alexis played all the games prior to the red card. He showed how good he is and now it is the turn of his team-mate, and we hope to see him give his best in tomorrow’s game."
Meanwhile, star forward Aimen Mahious who is currently the highest goal scorer in the tournament with three goals said that he wishes to continue his scoring form.
“I hope to keep playing at the same level. I would like to thank my teammates because without them it would not be possible to come this far. This is a difficult and tricky game just like any match that we have played before and we shall play to win,” Mahious told the media on Monday in the pre-match press conference.
“Niger have a strong defence, but this is not something that we are concerned about. We shall do our best to reach the final. We played one friendly game here with no fans but now with them, we hope to win and give them joy. We know that they love football,” Mahious added.
Algeria will face Niger in the first semi-final at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran at 1600GMT.