AFCON 2021: Algeria – Team to watch

Algeria national team – Nickname: The Desert Warriors

Coach: Djamel Belmadi

Captain: Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City)

AFCON Kick off date: 9th January 2022

The titleholders, Algeria are unbeaten in 25 games since 2019 after a defeat to their North African rivals Morocco.

The Desert Warriors are currently ranked as the 4th best team in Africa in the recent FIFA Ranking.

Algeria won the title for the second time during the 32nd edition in Egypt 2019 after a 1-0 victory over Senegal.

Algeria has kept its massive performance since 2019 to win the 2021 FIFA Arab Cup.

Despite not being part of the most successful winners of the Africa Nations Cup, the Desert Warriors are one of the best and dangerous teams to watch.

The North African giants will participate for the 20th time at the next AFCON in Cameroon.

They made their AFCON debut during the 1968’s edition held and won their first-ever AFCON title in the year 1990.

They have been adjudged as the African National Team Of The Year on 8 occasions (last in 2019)

Algeria going for their title defense race will line up top stars like Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City, Mohamed Saïd Benrahma of West Ham United, Ismael Bennacer, Soufiane Feghouli, and Adam Ounas.

The team’s head coach, Djamel Belmadi, announced his 28-man squad to compete for the trophy.

The defending champions are drawn in Group E alongside Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea, and Sierre Leone, who play their first AFCON since 1996, whom they will face in the opening game on 11 January.

Source: ghanasportspage.com