Algeria hungry for more glory

Cairo – After leading his team to the Africa Cup of Nations final for the first time since winning the title at home in 1990, Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi, above, is keen to write a new page in the country’s footballing history.

Riyad Mahrez scored after 94 minutes to hand Algeria a hardfought 2-1 victory over Nigeria last Sunday night at the Cairo International Stadium and set the date for Les Fennecs with the Teranga Lions of Senegal in the final on Friday at the same venue.

Belmadi, who participated as a player for Algeria in the 2004 Afcon, was appointed their coach in August last year and has proved to be the man for this job.

Belmadi told cafonline.com: “The finals are won, not played. We are here now and all that we want is the cup.

“But we are facing an opponent who always wants to win the cup, so it’s going to be a very tough game. Now we will have some rest and then we will start preparing.”

The Les Fennecs coach was pleased to have two local coaches in the final of the competition.

“I believe this is a message for all football stakeholders on our continent. A young local coach can write history and produce some good football.

“[Senegal’s coach] Aliou Cisse is a very good friend of mine and facing him is going to be interesting. The difference between us is that he is working with Senegal for four years, I have barely been here for a year. He is a very good coach and doing a great job with Senegal.

“I promise Algerians that I will give everything to make them happy, but I cannot promise them to win the title because that’s not in my hands.”