National team coach Vladimir Petkovic has taken full responsibility for Algeria’s elimination from the Africa Cup of Nations, following their quarter-final defeat against Nigeria. Petkovic acknowledged his tactical decisions and substitutions were factors, but suggested they ultimately wouldn’t have altered the outcome of the match.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Petkovic stated, “I take responsibility for the mistakes and choices I made. We must analyze the changes, but I don’t believe they would have changed much.” He admitted the elimination was a bitter pill to swallow for both the players and the coaching staff, as their ambition was to progress further in the tournament.
“The players are disappointed because they wanted to achieve more, but they gave a great effort in the match,” Petkovic added. He also recognized the strength of the Nigerian team, praising their technical and physical capabilities. He conceded that Algeria struggled to impose their usual playing style, particularly in the first half. “The opponent demonstrated their technical and physical abilities, and we didn’t succeed in playing our usual game,” he explained.
Petkovic also touched upon the team’s attacking performance, noting that despite deploying three or four forwards, they lacked precision in their passing, hindering their ability to create clear-cut chances. Regarding the refereeing decisions, Petkovic refrained from direct criticism, only hinting that certain incidents in the first half were questionable. “I don’t want to comment on the referee’s performance because it doesn’t help, but what happened in the first half will be clear to everyone,” he said.
Petkovic’s remarks reflect his acceptance of responsibility and a realistic assessment of the match. The elimination now prompts a period of evaluation and reflection as Algeria prepares for future competitions, aiming to return to winning ways and meet the expectations of their passionate supporters. The focus will be on rebuilding and ensuring a stronger performance in upcoming tournaments. This defeat serves as a crucial learning experience for the team.
