Algiers – Veteran Serbian coach Milutin Sredojevic, widely known as ‘Micho,’ believes the Algerian national team possesses the necessary ingredients for a deep run in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Drawing on his extensive experience in African football, including his current role with ES Setif, Micho offers a compelling analysis of Algeria’s prospects.
Speaking exclusively to DZWatch, Micho highlighted the significance of the tournament being held in North Africa, stating it gives a distinct advantage to teams from the region. He emphasized that Algeria, along with Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt, are among the frontrunners, while acknowledging Senegal’s strength and continental experience.
“The conditions in Morocco will greatly benefit the North African teams, especially Algeria,” Micho explained. “They have a talented squad and a passionate fanbase. This combination can be very powerful.”
Reflecting on past AFCON tournaments, Micho recalled the challenges faced by North African teams in Côte d’Ivoire, where harsh climatic conditions significantly impacted their performance. He believes hosting the tournament in Morocco could reverse that trend, although he acknowledges that the increasing number of players based in Europe has somewhat mitigated the impact of local weather conditions.
Micho also offered a candid assessment of Algeria’s recent history, acknowledging the remarkable achievement of winning the 2019 AFCON under coach Djamel Belmadi. He described that victory as an exceptional moment in Algerian football history, attributing it to a strong sense of national pride and discipline within the team. However, he suggested that the team lingered too long in the afterglow of that success, failing to replicate those heights in subsequent tournaments, including the AFCON in Cameroon, the World Cup qualification failure, and the early exit from the recent AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire. He expressed optimism for the future under new management.
DZWatch will continue to provide in-depth coverage of Algeria’s preparations for the upcoming AFCON.
