FOOTBALL – “EVERY match has its own specificity and must be approached like a final.” With these words, Algeria head coach Madjid Bougherra set the tone for his team’s approach ahead of their clash with South Africa in the second Group C fixture of the African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The match is scheduled for today at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala.
On the opposite bench, South Africa’s head coach Molefi Ntseki echoed a similar mindset, asserting that his Bafana Bafana side is “tactically prepared to compete on equal footing with one of the continent’s strongest sides.”
Algeria head into the tie full of confidence following their dominant 3-0 win over tournament hosts Uganda in the opening round.
With three points already secured, the Fennecs sit at the top of Group C and are now looking to punch their ticket to the quarter-finals.
“We have a focused, disciplined, and motivated team with great group spirit. I believe everything is in place to represent the country in the best way,” said Bougherra.
Despite their form, Bougherra remains cautious, aware of the threat posed by the unpredictable South Africans.
“We know South Africa is a good team that can change strategies quickly. We’ll treat this match like a final. We’re ready and will do everything possible to reach the next round.”
He added: “The fact we haven’t lost any match throughout the campaign is a source of pride, but we prefer to remain humble and work quietly. The outcome will depend on both teams’ desire to win.”
For South Africa, the encounter marks their return to CHAN after an 11-year absence. Despite the narrow defeat to Uganda, coach Molefi Ntseki believes his side is ready to rise to the occasion.
“Algeria has proven to be a good team, with rhythm and organisation. We’ll try to manage the early minutes well – that will help us control the game. Our focus will be on key moments and playing our game,” Ntseki said.
“We are in a tough group, but we came to represent our country with pride and to compete at the highest level.”
Among the players, Algerian attacking midfielder Iheb Belhocini stressed the importance of maintaining consistency.
“South Africa is considered one of the best teams in Africa. We’ll approach this match the same way we did against Uganda, and we are ready to win. Preparation was short but efficient, and that opening win gave us confidence.”
South African midfielder Neo Maema echoed similar confidence, highlighting the team’s mental readiness.
“We’ve studied how they played, and that will help us start better. We are here to compete and to win. This will be a good test for us, and hopefully it allows us to position ourselves well in the group. Our main goal is to win this tournament.”
Algeria’s defensive organisation under Bougherra continues to draw praise.
The team has now gone 10 CHAN matches without conceding a single goal, amassing 682 consecutive minutes with a clean sheet – a remarkable achievement.
A win today would lift Algeria to six points and virtually seal their progression to the knockout stage, putting pressure on the rest of the group.
South Africa may be bottom of the group with zero points, but they are no strangers to bouncing back.
Their qualification for CHAN 2024 came after a comeback win over Malawi, and they historically perform well under pressure.
In both 2011 and 2014, they won their opening matches despite trailing early.
That resilience could prove crucial in a group that remains wide open.
The historical record between the two sides is evenly matched. In four encounters, Algeria have one win, while the other three have ended in draws.
Their most recent meeting – a friendly in March 2024 – ended in an entertaining 3-3 draw. In CHAN history, the only meeting came in 2011, with Algeria winning 2-0.
Though the sample size is limited, it sets the stage for a tightly contested and unpredictable encounter. Today’s match could prove decisive for Group C. An Algerian win secures qualification and puts added pressure on Uganda and Niger.
A draw keeps all four teams in contention, while a South African victory would throw the group wide open heading into the final round of fixtures.
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