Slimani to Echourouk: I’m not the only one who should score

The international striker Islam Slimani refused shoulder the responsibility of the Algerian squad setback and sterility before the net in the African Cup of Nations tournament noting that scoring goals is a collective duty not limited to one player only.

In a interview made to Echourouk, has asserted that the Algerian football team will come up stronger from this disqualification because the players have learnt a lot.

At the beginning Islam Slimani extended his apologies to the Algerian people in the wake of the precautious disqualification from the tournament noting that the players really wanted to please them but they failed to do it.

He went on saying that he was exhausted to an extent that he delayed his training session with his club after his participation in the African Cup of Nations ; however, he added, the “desert foxes” made a good showing during the three matches despite the disqualification and the players acquired a lot from this setback.

Slimani noted that the inexperience of the majority of the players affected their performances during the tournament citing the example of the first match versus Tunisia where the

“greens” could have easily secured a victory on account of the various chances they created .

He further indicated that the logic of football is implacable if you don’t score they other side will do it and this is what happened versus Tunisia and Togo especially that the players performed under pressure versus the “ sparrow hawks”.

Replying on a question concerning the head coach Halilhozic, Slimani said that most of the players are unanimous to say that this one should continue his work on the helm of the squad because this team lacked experience only.

As to the challenges ahead, Slimani noted that the task will be tough starting with the upcoming fixture versus Benin here in Algeria before moving to play Rwanda. We have to be on top and never disregard the adversaries.