Ziani to Echorouk: “The Africa Cup of Nations is more important than the World Cup”

In an interview with the newspaper “Echorouk”, the playmaker of the Algeria football squad, Karim Ziani, has said that the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations is more important than the World Cup, stressing that the Greens' participation in the upcoming continental tournament will not be symbolic but will surely be most effective. 

• Echorouk : Did the first part of the Greens’ training camp in the Castellet in Southern France take place in good conditions? …
• Ziani : I should say that the first phase of this training camp in southern France took place in excellent conditions amid a great atmosphere among all the players.
• Echorouk : So, this is a good omen for a much-awaited good performance by the Algerian Fennecs during the forthcoming Africa cup of nations’ competition…
• Ziani : Absolutely, the Algerian football federation has put all the human and material resources at the service of the national squad.
• Now, it’s up to the players and the technical staff to be up to the mark and to honour the national colours in Angola.
• Echorouk : Some people say  that this African contest will only serve as a springboard for the Algerian Fennecs in expectation of the 2010 world cup finals in South Africa …
• Ziani : It is unthinkable to go to Angola only to prepare for the world cup in South Africa.
• As far as I am concerned, I’ll go to Angola to do everything possible to clinch the African trophy.
• For me, it’s a challenge… Mind you, the players of the Algerian squad are able to achieve this feat.
• Echorouk : Some commentators fear a paltry performance by the Greens in Angola on account of a lack of experience of several players in this kind of competition …
• Ziani : I am confident that this lack of experience will not hamper our players to shine in Angola as they brilliantly did in the 2 qualifying rounds for the 2010 Africa cup of nations and the world cup.
• We are fully determined to make a good showing in this major African tournament, and we are optimistic as to our chances to fare well in Angola.
• Echorouk : The Greens will have to face host country, Angola, Mali and Malawi in the first round … Do you know some elements playing for these 3 African squads?
• Ziani : As a matter of fact, I know a few players of the Malian squad namely Kakanouti and Sisoko who play in European championships.
• But I don’t know much about the players of the national teams of Angola and Malawi even though I have some information about them.