Bougherra plots Algeria's survival path, Guinea exit with pride

CAF

14 hours ago

In football, the same ninety minutes can tell two very different stories. For Guinea, their 1–1 draw with Algeria in Kampala marked the end of their journey at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
For Algeria, the same result kept their hopes alive — a reminder that survival sometimes matters more than style.
Guinea's heartbreak and Kamara's apology
Guinea coach Souleymane Kamara cut a pained figure at full-time.
His side had led for much of the second half through Ismaël Camara's strike in the 61st minute, only to concede an equaliser eight minutes from time.
The late blow sealed their elimination and left the coach apologetic.
'We needed to win to stay in the race and, with eight minutes to go, we conceded the equaliser. We came to win, we gave everything, but we were knocked out in the first round — and that wasn't the goal. I offer my sincerest apologies to the entire Guinean nation,' Kamara said.
The coach pointed to fatigue and scheduling as major factors.
'We played every three days without rest. That took its toll. In football, you also need to take risks, and perhaps we were not bold enough in attack.'
Kamara refused to dwell on excuses, stressing that responsibility lay on the pitch rather than beyond it.
'When you're eliminated on the pitch, there's no room to blame external factors. We need to work in a solid way, like other African teams who are ahead today.'
Algeria's relief under Bougherra
For Algeria's coach Magid Bougherra, the night was about perspective. His team had laboured, but the point was enough to extend their campaign and keep destiny in their own hands.
'It was a tough match, on a demanding pitch. We lacked physical freshness and more finishing efficiency. We had chances to 'kill' the game and didn't take them. In African domestic football, finishing is still an area that needs improvement,' he admitted.
Still, Bougherra saw resilience in his side.
'Even without a brilliant day, we didn't give up and kept pushing for the goal until the end. That's the mentality that can take us far.'
Looking ahead, his message was clear.
'If we want to go through, we have to win the next game against Niger. The destiny is in our hands.'
A clash of philosophies
The contest highlighted two contrasting approaches: Guinea's high-energy attacking intent versus Algeria's measured tactical structure.
In the end, persistence outlasted ambition, as Bayazid's late equaliser underlined Algeria's staying power.
For Guinea, the tournament ends with regrets and lessons for the future. For Algeria, it continues as a test of resilience — with qualification still within reach.