Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has acknowledged that the pain of consecutive Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group stage exits continues to linger, as the Desert Foxes head to Morocco determined to restore their standing during the tournament.
The 2019 champions arrive at the tournament carrying the scars of disastrous campaigns in 2022 and 2024, where they failed to win a single match. Shock defeats to Equatorial Guinea and Mauritania, the latter recording their first-ever AFCON victory, forced a period of deep soul-searching and ultimately led to the dismissal of long-serving coach Djamel Belmadi.
Algeria who are drawn in Group E alongside Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea, are under pressure to prove that those humiliations were an aberration rather than a trend.
Mahrez, who now plies his trade with Al Ahli, made it clear that the squad is fully aware of what is at stake.
“We have to be realistic given what happened to us in the last two AFCON tournaments. We dare not fail again,” the 34-year-old winger told CAF Online.
Despite Algeria being widely tipped as one of the contenders, Mahrez played down any talk of favouritism, insisting that reputation alone will not win matches.
“Some observers are including us among the title favourites, but that means nothing. Morocco have to be the favourites as they will be playing on home soil, backed by huge, partisan crowds,” he said.
Head coach Vladimir Petkovic, appointed after seven years in charge of Switzerland, has overseen a steady recovery. Since taking over, the former Lazio boss has led Algeria to 15 wins in 20 matches and secured qualification for both AFCON 2025 and the 2026 World Cup.
Even so, Petkovic is keen to temper expectations and avoid bold promises.
“Our first goal will be to qualify for the second round, then we shall see,” he told Algerian media, while acknowledging the weight of expectation around his side.
“We are favourites in our group, and we must accept that responsibility.”
Although Algeria are again being mentioned among potential champions, Petkovic remains cautious about any talk of lifting a third continental crown.
“I never promise anything,” the coach said.
For Petkovic, the key to Algeria’s revival goes beyond tactics or individual brilliance. He believes unity will be decisive in determining how far the team can go in Morocco.
“What I can assure Algerians is that the team will wear the national team jersey with pride and be courageous,” he said.
“Unity is crucial. We must have the support of the entire nation. If we are divided, achieving success will be difficult.”
