EXCLUSIVE: Bougherra: ‘Algeria aims to win TotalEnergies CHAN 2024 – Long live Africa!'
Speaking from East Africa, where the tournament is being staged, the former Fennecs defender emphasised that every coach must approach each match with the intention to win, regardless of the competition.
Bougherra, who led Algeria to the CHAN 2023 final on home soil, believes that African talent is the backbone of European football and urged local players to have faith in their ability to shine on the biggest stages.
In an exclusive interview with CAFonline.com, he reflected on Algeria's start to the tournament, shared his thoughts on the strength of the opposition, and praised CAF for its organisation of the event.
The 41-year-old also spoke about his side's approach, the lessons from last year's final defeat to Senegal, and the pride he takes in representing Africa. P
Passionate in his outlook, Bougherra insists that while the mission will be difficult, Algeria has the quality, ambition, and determination to go all the way.
CAFonline.com: Hello, Majid. You began the 2024 TotalEnergies CHAN with a 3-0 victory over hosts Uganda and followed it up with a 1-1 draw against South Africa. How do you view this start, and are you satisfied with it?
Majid Bougherra: I'm satisfied with the results against Uganda and South Africa. We won the first match and drew the second, but now we have to keep working hard and improve.
CAFonline.com: After the completion of the group stage's first set of matches, how do you assess the overall performance of the teams across all groups?
Bougherra: I am very happy with the level of the current TotalEnergies CHAN tournament. I was lucky to participate in the last edition held in Algeria, and in the current edition there are stronger teams that are likely to go far in the tournament. This edition is beautiful. African football has developed, and this is a wonderful thing.
CAFonline.com: Do you think that local leagues in Africa have developed significantly, and that African football as a whole is progressing, not just the national teams, which are often made up of players based abroad?
Bougherra: African championships have evolved over the past five years, and many players active in local leagues have now gone on to play for their national teams. Many African federations have realised that academies are the foundation of football projects, as we see in the current TotalEnergies CHAN tournament. Young talents are shining, and this is their opportunity to attract the attention of their national team coaches and join their teams.
CAFonline.com: The Algerian national team is participating in the CHAN for only the third time. In its two previous appearances, it reached the semi-finals and then the final. What does that history mean for you and the current generation?
Bougherra: The past doesn't matter in football. We must focus on today and tomorrow. Therefore, our results in our two previous participations in the CHAN tournament don't matter as much as focusing on our current participation. It's different from our previous experience in Algeria. Currently, the environment and atmosphere are different and we are playing abroad. This is my first coaching experience in a continental competition outside our country with the national team. The atmosphere is wonderful and the competition is beautiful. I can say it frankly: Long live Africa.
CAFonline.com: You led the Algerian national team during the last edition, held in Algiers in 2023, where you played in the final. Can you recall the most notable moments of that tournament, especially the final and the penalty shootout loss?
Bougherra: Playing in Algeria is always great with the support of our fans, which is what we miss in this edition, as we are almost alone and the fans are watching us on TV. In the Algerian edition, there were great feelings. There was the match against Ivory Coast, the semi-final in which we scored five goals, and of course the final against the strong Senegal team. Final matches are always up in the air and difficult, and that final was decided by penalty kicks between us and Senegal, and both teams deserved to win.
CAFonline.com: Before you left for Uganda, you said you were aiming to win the title. Was that simply to motivate your players, or do you truly believe you can reach the final and lift the trophy?
Bougherra: If any coach says that he is participating in a competition just to participate, it would be strange. Every coach must enter every match in any competition, regardless of its type, in order to win. Saying that we will win the title, and saying that we will try to win the title are two different things. We will try to win the title, but the mission is not easy. There are strong teams, and things will become more difficult as the matches pass. The technical and tactical requirements will become more complicated, and we will play every match like a final in order to win it. If we win every match, we will win the title, of course. In general, we aim to win the title, and if we succeed in doing so, it will be wonderful.
CAFonline.com: Algerian fans will have high expectations and hope to finally win this continental title, which has yet to be claimed by Algeria. What is your message to them?
Bougherra: The fans know that we are working with players who love their country and want to demonstrate their abilities and prove the high level of Algerian football. We, as a technical staff, have developed a game plan and are trying to bring out the best in the players. Ultimately, football is played on small details. Just as you can win, you can lose. We are striving to avoid defeat scenarios. We will take it match by match and then see where we go.
CAFonline.com: What do you think of CAF's organisation of this year's CHAN tournament?
Bougherra: The organisation of the TotalEnergies 2024 CHAN Championship is great and everything is good here in Uganda. The people are wonderful and welcoming, and the training and competition conditions are great here. Congratulations to everyone on this championship, especially Uganda, because here we feel that we are in the best condition, and thank you for this organisation.
CAFonline.com: As a former professional who played in some of the world's biggest leagues and most important international competitions, what message would you send to local players in Africa?
Bougherra: I say to African players: believe in yourselves. You have the talent. Work hard and make sure the clubs follow you. Keep working and believe in your dream, and I see that African talent feeds the football school in Europe.
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