Algeria coach Madjid Bougherra is content with his side’s opening day 1-0 win over Libya at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 despite their profligacy.
The trainer of the Desert Foxes left the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers satisfied after the host nation clinched all the three points following the victory in the opening game on Friday in Algiers.
With a deep sigh of relief at the full time whistle, Bougherra visibly felt a heavy burden lifted off his shoulders as he delivered what he promised to the 40,000 fans inside the magnificent stadium.
“We came to win and we won,” he said after the match.
“It is true that we were wasteful in the game. Our left side struggled with the compact game of Libya. It was not easy to find spaces and for us to build with momentum. Yes, there were lapses in concentration to tell you the truth,” he admitted.
“However, I am a little disappointed in our reaction after the goal. We cannot afford to let our guard down, not in the African Nations Championship and especially not in front of our fans.”
“But well, the first match is always the most complicated. Libya did not make things easy for us. It is an Italian team, very solid defensively, very disciplined.”
Bougherra praised his side saying that: “They are hard workers. It is true that they sometimes confuse speed with efficiency but they work so hard that I am sure they will correct this defect.”
Algeria will return to action against Ethiopia on Tuesday, 17 January at 19h00 GMT.
