Goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui: “I’ll be grateful to coach Rabah Saadane all my life”

The Algerian goalKeeper Lounes Gaouaoui was one of the partisans in the victory of the Algerian squad versus Zambia. He kindly accepted to give this interview to our reporter.

• Q: Two days after your come back to Algeria, what do you recollect from  your trek in South Africa and Zambia?
• A: Believe me if I tell you that I’m still under the euphoria and didn’t awake from the dream, I think it’s the same for my team mates. Thanks God everything went as expected and thanks to the Algerian Football Association which afforded all means. We ripped the fruits of our efforts during the different training camps before the match versus Egypt till the one versus Zambia.
• Q: your performance during these two matches has certainly uplifted your heart if we consider all the critics you faced across the season with your club US Annaba, isn’t?
• A: Indeed my season with this club didn’t meet my expectations because we lost everything, but this didn’t affect my personal performance and mental. Thanks God I caught up what I missed with my club by the achievements of the national squad.
• Q: What are your comments concerning those who preferred Fouzi Chaouchi to you to be the starting goal keeper of the Algerian squad?
• A: I respect these views, and I can understand these critics against a goalkeeper who received too many goals at a particular period of the season, but what matters for me is that the head coach Rabah Saadane has always kept faith in my abilities and I will be grateful to him as long as I live.
• Q: What’s the impact of your experience on the good performance you showed with the Algerian squad?
• A: Frankly speaking, I don’t think that my performance was as exceptional, I ‘m the Algerian squad’s goal keeper since 2001 and started my international career with Rabah Madjer, whom I salute on the occasion, since that date all my performances were good whether in 2002 in Mali or2004 in Tunis. As time went by I garnered more experience in the African competitions because I played in most of the black continent’s countries.
• Q: Many hailed solidarity spirit that prevailed among the Algerian players during the two last matches, what is the secret?
• A: There isn’t any, except the factor of stability that I mentioned earlier.
• Q: Does Lounes Gaouaoui realize that the Algerian squad is about to qualify to the World Cup?
• A: Indeed, when you come back with a draw from Rwanda , beat the African Champion Egypt then you win abroad versus Zambia, I think it’s legitimate to say that we crossed a giant leap towards the world cup, but we have to bear in mind that much is left to do ahead.
• Q: What is the future for Lounes Guaoauoui after departing from Annaba?
• A: I had talks with M Medouar ( ASO Chelef president) concerning the broad lines concerning my signature in his club and we have convened to meet again tomorrow or the day after to deepen the negotiations, all I can say is that my future destination will be ASO Chelef.