“This is our time to win it” - Algeria striker Aimen Mahious
“This is our time to win it”: Algeria’s Aimen Mahious opens up about redemption, pressure, and dreams of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) glory in an exclusive Q & A interview with CAFOnline.com.
Algerian forward Aimen Mahious has been one of the most recognisable faces in recent editions of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The tournament’s all-time top scorer with nine goals, Mahious was the standout performer in the 2022 edition but endured heartbreak when he missed the decisive penalty in the final, handing the title to Senegal on home soil.
Now, as Algeria return to the tournament co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, Mahious is back — older, wiser, and more determined than ever.
In this exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com, Mahious reflects on his painful memory from the 2022 final, his evolution as a player, the rise of African football, and Algeria’s mission to go one better in CHAN 2024.
Below is the interview:
Q: Aimen, welcome. Algeria began CHAN 2024 with a convincing win. That was a big statement. What’s your reaction?
Yes, it was our first match and we started with a 3-0 victory, which also gave us our first three points. We hope to maintain the same level, or even improve, in the upcoming matches so we can continue collecting more points.
Q: Did you expect to beat hosts Uganda so comfortably in your opening match?
We definitely wanted to start strong, but we didn’t expect to win by three goals. Uganda are the host nation and we respected them, especially playing in front of their fans. We followed our coaching staff’s instructions and knew how to control the game and manage it in our favour.
Q: You’re Algeria’s top scorer in CHAN history and won the Golden Boot in the previous edition with nine goals. Are you hoping to retain your title?
My priority is always to help the team. Goals come naturally after that. Our main goal is to win matches and lift the trophy. Last time, I won the top scorer award, but we lost the final. This time, I hope we win the final and become champions.
Q: Speaking of the 2022 final, you missed the last penalty that gave Senegal the title. Can you share how that moment affected you?
That penalty could have won us the title. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. As a player, you must not dwell on failure — you must keep working. Maybe I was overconfident with that penalty, and that cost us. Just as I helped the team with my goals and those of my teammates to reach the final, I couldn’t convert the one that mattered most.
Q: If you had the chance again, would you take the penalty the same way? Why were you so committed to that style?
At that time, that was my go-to technique. Even at USM Alger, I used to take penalties the same way. In CHAN, I had already scored two penalties with that technique — including a decisive one in the last minute against Côte d’Ivoire in the quarter-finals, when we were down to ten men. You do your best, and the rest is up to God. Now, we have a new chance, and we’ll give everything to make it count.
Q: What was the mood like in the dressing room after the win over Uganda? What did coach Bougherra say to the team?
He thanked us, and we thanked him in return. His tactics played a big role in our win. We have a balanced squad, combining experienced players and young talent. Many of the players who came on in the second half have experience in African club competitions — the CAF Champions League and Confederation Cup. We must use that experience wisely. We’re taking it step by step. We’re not yet the favourites, and we need to prove ourselves in every match.
Q: How do you rate the current level of this CHAN tournament, and African football in general?
African football has made huge strides, both at the local and international levels. Football isn’t what it used to be — today, every team plays attractive football. As for CHAN, we’re still in the group stage, which is more of a warm-up. The real level of the tournament will show as we move further along.
Q: You had a stint in Switzerland before returning to Algeria. What differences do you see between football in Africa and Europe?
In Africa, and especially in Algeria, football passion is on another level. That’s why I couldn’t fully adjust in Switzerland. In Algeria, we grow up with pressure — pressure to win, pressure to perform, pressure to compete for titles. In Europe, fans are more accepting of defeats and draws. For us, every match is a must-win. That pressure is what makes football beautiful for us.
Q: What message do you have for Algerian fans ahead of the rest of the tournament?
We hope to be up to the task and to honour the Algerian flag. Our fans are expecting big things from us, and we want to make them proud. We will give everything — and the rest is in God’s hands.
