Mahrez eyes strong AFCON showing from Algeria / Photo: KENZO TRIBOUILLARD - AFP/File
-
Search Underway for 'Dooars Rani' Tigress After Second Escape from Buxa Tiger Reserve
-
Teatro Mayor Unveils 152-Performance 2027 Season Highlighting Beethoven and García Márquez
-
The Dilemma of Recording Live Music: Preserving Memories vs. Being Present
-
Rutgers Defeats NJIT 101-64 Behind Francis and Mark Scores
-
AmeriLife Welcomes Finance Veteran Richard Dziadzio as Chief Financial Officer; Names Jim Quinn President & Chief Transformation Officer
-
6 Pieces of Furniture Worth Investing In
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces New Critical Mineral Recoveries Expand Potential
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - November 11
-
Guardian Metal Resources PLC Announces Proposed Spin-Out of Non-Tungsten Projects
-
Fulcrum Metals PLC Announces Publication of Updated Investor Presentation
-
THIEAUDIO Introduces Clairvoyance MKII: The Evolution of a Signature Sound
-
Christmas Day Shifts More than Double as Americans Return to In-Person Holiday Celebrations
-
BlackBerry to Participate in Upcoming Investor Conferences
-
NiobiumX Mining Reports Results of Ground Radiometric Survey at Shipshaw, Maps Two Distinct Radiometric Signatures Across the Core Claims, and Moves to a High-Resolution Airborne Survey of the Full 2,686-Hectare Package
-
Irving Resources Reports on Drilling in Yamagano Mining Right at the Yamagano Joint Venture, Kyushu, Japan
-
Trifecta Gold Reports 2026 Exploration Results from the Liam and Lois Projects, Tombstone Gold Belt, Yukon
-
XCF Global Hosts USDA at New Rise Renewables Reno as Facility Surpasses 4.4 Million Gallons Since Restart
-
5E Advanced Materials to Host Fiscal First Quarter 2027 Earnings Conference Call on November 17, 2026
-
Patriot Software Adds Performance Reviews to Patriot HR
-
Protagenic Therapeutics Announces Private Placement of Up to $5 Million to Advance PT00114 into Its First U.S. Clinical Trial in Generalized Anxiety Disorder
-
Healixa's FrostPulse(TM) Technology Solves a Major Roadblock to Data Center Growth: Cooling Without the Water Burden
-
Route1 Announces 2026 Annual Meeting Results
-
NuRAN Wireless Board Approves Growth Strategy to Scale Recurring Revenue from 5,000+ Contracted Towers
-
Ethur Takes On Hiring Fraud With Facial Biometrics Identity Checks and Connected Payroll and Bank Data
-
PPX Mining Reports Callanquitas Operating Results for the First Nine Months of 2026
-
Green Leaf Innovations (OTC: GRLF) Meets OTCID Disclosure Requirements Following Profitable Q2 2026 Results
-
Valion Bio Reinforces Commitment to American Troops; Discusses Entolimod with Attendees at RW Baird's National Security Conference
-
Amarc Extends 2026 Exploration Program at the Duke District: Initiates Drilling Program at Established Porphyry Copper-Gold Targets
-
Thukukile Zuma Resigns from ANC Johannesburg Leadership Amid Disciplinary Dispute
-
Russia Orders 100,000 Kometa Modules to Counter Ukrainian Electronic Warfare
-
CM Mohan Yadav Meets Bohra Spiritual Leader to Discuss Simhastha 2028 and Development
-
Mahayuti-backed Rajesh Patil Elected Chairman of Gokul Dairy Amidst Political Deadlock
-
Eli Crane Defeats Jonathan Nez in Tight Arizona Congressional Race
Mahrez eyes strong AFCON showing from Algeria
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is confident his side can make up for poor showings at the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations as the 2019 champions prepare to begin their campaign in Morocco on Wednesday.
The Desert Foxes won their second AFCON title the last time it was played in North Africa, six years ago in Egypt.
However, their title defence three years later in Cameroon ended in first-round elimination with just a single point, and they also failed to win a match in going out in the group stage in Ivory Coast in 2024.
"There is no doubt that we were not good at the last two AFCONs but that is in the past now. All that is behind us," Mahrez said Tuesday in Rabat, where Algeria play Sudan on Wednesday.
"Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to make up for what has happened and do better. Tomorrow it is time for this generation."
Algeria will be aiming to live up to their billing as the fourth-best side in Africa according to the FIFA rankings.
A strong showing in Morocco will also set them up for the World Cup in North America in six months, after Algeria qualified for the first time since 2014.
Former Manchester City winger Mahrez, now playing for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, turns 35 in February and so these tournaments may mark his swanswong at international level.
But he is excited about Algeria's new generation, including VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and the goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
Son of France legend Zinedine, Luca Zidane was born in Marseille and plays for Granada in the Spanish second division.
He made his Algeria debut in October and it is hoped he can be the solution to what has been a problem position for coach Vladimir Petkovic.
"Luca has integrated well into the squad and is trying to give everything for the team," said Mahrez, who was born in France to an Algerian father and a Moroccan mother.
"I know his name is a big weight to carry but he is not letting that get to him."
After Wednesday's game Algeria will also play Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in a tricky Group E, and their path in the knockout phase could be complicated too.
Winning the section would mean a last-16 tie against the runners-up in Group D which includes Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Meanwhile, finishing second would mean a clash with the winners of Group F, which includes reigning champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
P.Costa--AMWN
