Algerian international Ibrahim Mazia has opened up about his disappointment following Algeria’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations. He explained his angry reaction after the elimination and discussed his ambitions with the national team, as well as the reasons behind his decision to represent Algeria despite having other options.
Speaking to the German publication, Mazia, who plays for Bayer Leverkusen, addressed his participation in the recent AFCON tournament. He emphasized that his ambition was to win the title, making the quarter-final exit particularly painful. Mazia explained that the manner of the defeat left him with a bitter feeling, as he entered the competition with a strong determination to go far in the tournament and potentially lift the trophy.
The player spoke about the emotional rollercoaster he experienced during the tournament. He described feeling angry after the match against Nigeria, before sadness overcame him after the elimination. He acknowledged that these emotions are a natural part of football.
Despite the disappointing exit, Mazia stressed that defeat can be a real opportunity for learning. He emphasized that the team must learn lessons and work to correct shortcomings in order to improve performance and achieve better results in future competitions.
Mazia also revisited his decision to represent the Algerian national team, despite having the right to choose between several national teams, given his birth in Germany and his mother’s Vietnamese heritage. He responded to the German national team coach, Julian Nagelsmann, who had previously mentioned his name, saying that the mere reference to him was a positive thing in itself.
Mazia affirmed that he belongs to multiple cultures and respects Algeria, Germany, and Vietnam. However, his choice ultimately fell on Algeria: “I am a multicultural person, I love Algeria, Germany, and Vietnam, but I chose Algeria for my own reasons.” He revealed that the Vietnamese Football Federation had also contacted him.
