Madjid Bougherra: we are used to challenges

In a lengthy interview with Echourok, the Algerian defender Madjid Bougherra has indicated that the Greens were ready for today’s match versus Angola and that the both the fans and the pitch will play in favor of Jose Manuel’s players.

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• However, he added, this is not an obstacle for them because they are used to pressure and that the duel will take place on the pitch not on the bleachers.
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• Q: How is the atmosphere inside the group few hours before the decisive match versus Angola?
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• A: Everything is Ok and the atmosphere is excellent especially after the win versus Mali in the second match; we have retrieved confidence knowing that we were down after the debacle versus Malawi. Now, we are on the verge to qualify to the second round and we have to beat Angola first.
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• Q: Today’s fixture will be special and mistakes are not allowed, how did you prepare it?
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• A: We have prepared it the same way as we did with the previous matches, morally, we are better than the Angolans because pressure will be rather on them being the hosts. I expect a big match from our side because we are aware of our duty on the pitch and if we respect the coach’s directives, I’m certain confident about the qualification to the next round.
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• Q: Don’t you think that this match will be the toughest one for you considering that you will play the host country?
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• A: All the matches in the African Cup are difficult and there aren’t such small and big teams but rather favorite squads and less ones; but things are different on the pitch. We lost versus Malawi and won versus Mali and today we are going to play Angola before their fans at home and nobody denies that the fixture will be tough; but morally we’ll be better equipped than them. The fans will try to pressure us but this is a double-edged blade especially if we succeed to score in the first half or end with a draw.
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• Q: How do you expect the scenario?
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• A: Nobody can predict today’s scenario, but all I can wish is that things go in our favor because we really need three points and we’ll do the best to snatch them from the Angolans.
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• Q: Both Gilberto and Flavio will be missing from the Angolan side, don’t you think that this play in your advantage?
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• A: Indeed, the absence of two key players will certainly play on our favor, but don’t forget that the substitutes will do their best to show off their qualities and prove they are also fit to play as starting players that’ s why the missing of these two players will not be felt. Anyway we have prepared to play a big match and wrench the qualification.
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• Q:  In case of a qualification to the next round, you will move to Cabinda, any comment?
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• A: we are only concentrated on today’s match for the time being, after the match we’ll see. What matters for us is to qualify to the next round regardless of the position and do not see any problem to move to Cabinda as long as security is assured. Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso are playing there without any problem.
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• Q: A disqualification will be a shock for the Algerian football?
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• A:  I don’t want to talk about it now, we have taken on the challenge and we’ll play for the win and qualification.
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