Zemmamouche to Echorouk: “I’m ready to play against Ivory Coast, I’m not scared”

Algeria team goalkeeper Amine Zemmamouche said he is happy to play for the first time with the Desert Foxes, however he never wished to play because of the injury of his team-mate Chaouchi; “Ivory Coast team is strong, but do not scare Algerian players who will play without any problems”. 

•  – How did you train for tomorrow’s match before Ivory Coast?
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•  *There was no special training, following the qualification to the quarter-finals of Africa Cup; we continued work on the same pace at which we started the training since our arrival to Luanda, and we can say that we are ready physically and psychologically in order to play a big match tomorrow, as we seek to satisfy the Algerian fans who breath football and love the Desert Warriors.
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•  – You will face the number one to win Africa Cup, how do you see the match and are you able to win?
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•  * No one denies that Ivory Coast team is strong and has international players known in the strongest European clubs and championships, and it is among the favorites to win the Africa Cup, however this does not mean that it will win because it will face a team that is qualified to the World Cup. I think we’ll play against players like us and we can win, especially since we have the fighting sprit, and everyone of us wants to honor the national colors and offers the best during the match. I wish it will be our day.
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•  –Following the injury of the former goalkeeper Chaouchi, you will replace him, are you ready for this mission?
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• *Of course, I’m full ready; physically I work hard with the team and psychologically I’m relieved and I’m not afraid of anything like my team mates because I believe in my capacities and theirs as well. We can win again and qualify to the semi-finals. I think that replacing Faouzi Chaouchi is very difficult because he has wonderful potentials, and I’m sorry because of his injury at the level of back, I wish he will recover as soon as possible.
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• -It is such a rare opportunity, isn’t it?
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• *Every player in Algeria team is expecting to have the opportunity to play and grasp an important place among the squad, and this is my aim, because opportunities do not come many times, and I have to gloom any chances, if I show good performance before Ivory Coast I’ll play again in other matches. I’ll help my team mates in order to face Ivory Coast and win over it.
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•  – What are your chances to qualify to the semi-finals?
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• *Whatever the value and name of the team which will play against us tomorrow, we will be eleven players in the match, that’s why I think we have the same chances. I think readiness and focus in the match are important for the victory.