Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has expressed confidence that the team can redeem themselves after disappointing performances in the last two Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments, as the 2019 champions prepare to kick off their 2025 campaign in Morocco on Wednesday.
Mahrez highlighted Algeria’s past struggles, noting that their title defence in Cameroon ended with first-round elimination, and they also failed to secure a win during the group stage of the 2024 edition in the Ivory Coast. “There is no doubt that we were not good at the last two AFCONs, but that is in the past now. All that is behind us,” he said in Rabat on Tuesday.
He added, “Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to make up for what has happened and do better. Tomorrow it is time for this generation.” Algeria, ranked fourth in Africa by FIFA, will face Sudan in their opening Group E match, followed by clashes with Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea.
Mahrez, who will turn 35 in February, acknowledged that these tournaments may be his last at international level but expressed optimism about the team’s new generation, including VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and goalkeeper Luca Zidane. The son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane, Luca recently made his Algeria debut and plays for Granada in Spain’s second division.
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“Luca has integrated well into the squad and is trying to give everything for the team,” Mahrez said. “I know his name is a big weight to carry, but he is not letting that get to him.”
Algeria’s path in the knockout stage will depend on their group finish. Winning Group E would set up a last-16 tie against the runners-up in Group D, which includes Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while finishing second could lead to a clash with the winners of Group F, featuring reigning champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon.