Sidi Moussa, Algeria – National team coach Vladimir Petkovic is putting the finishing touches on preparations for Algeria’s opening match against Sudan in the Africa Cup of Nations. The primary objective is securing a victory and avoiding the setbacks that plagued the team in their previous two appearances, where they drew against Angola and Sierra Leone.
Petkovic initiated tactical drills on Tuesday evening, following confirmation of the players’ physical readiness. A flexible training program, tailored to individual player needs, was implemented. The squad was divided into two groups during Tuesday morning’s session before returning to a single daily session. The focus is on enhancing team cohesion and implementing the tactical plan for Wednesday’s match.
The national team’s training camp will conclude today with a final session at the Sidi Moussa center. The team will then depart on Friday after Friday prayers to the official accommodation for the continental tournament. Captain Riyad Mahrez and his teammates will hold their first training session at the venue on Saturday evening, as confirmed by Petkovic during a press conference at Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Tactical Stability Supported by Data
The national coach appears to be favoring a stable starting lineup, a consistent approach throughout the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. Data indicates a clear trend in this direction. The team may adopt the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 formations, particularly given the consistent appearances of the defensive trio of Tougai, Mandi, and Bensebaini, who have accumulated the most playing time. Tougai and Mandi each played a full 540 minutes across six matches, while Bensebaini played 495 minutes. Defensive midfielder Ramiz Zerrouki also stood out with 431 minutes, capitalizing on the absence of Ismael Bennacer and the limited fitness of Boudaoui in recent training camps, solidifying his position within the team’s options.
