Algerian Radio
National football team coach Vladimir Petkovic described the match against Equatorial Guinea, scheduled for Wednesday (5:00 PM), as "complicated," highlighting the importance of concluding the first round of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025) with a third success during the close of the group stage (Group E).
"It is true that we have qualified, but this match counts enormously for our morale and to extend the positive streak. We must also demonstrate, as players and as a team, our true values, and continue to progress while awaiting the next rounds," he stated at a press conference.
The national team launched its campaign ideally, stringing together two consecutive victories against Sudan (3-0) and Burkina Faso (1-0), thereby securing first place in the group before the final day of the first round.
The national team's head coach also warned against the solidity of his next opponent, who was eliminated after conceding two defeats against Burkina Faso (2-1) and Sudan (1-0).
"It will be a complicated match; they also had a bit of bad luck, especially during the first match. As always, we focus on ourselves, with respect for the opponent, and we are looking to win tomorrow as well," he added.
Discussing the match against the "Nzalang Nacional" of Equatorial Guinea, Petkovic expects an intense encounter. "A demanding, important match where we will have to give everything. It is an opponent we have already faced, whom we know quite well, and the knowledge is reciprocal. That is why I see a very tight match, always on a knife-edge," he estimated, announcing possible adjustments to his starting lineup.
"Tomorrow, I will make some changes, but I still have to wait to see the players' situation; everything is not yet totally clear. I have confidence in my players. I still have to evaluate how many changes I will make, but it will certainly not be the same eleven players who started the last two matches," he assured.
Regarding goalkeeper Lucas Zidane, the coach praised his contribution during the first two outings. "He played very good matches and made an important contribution during these two victories. With more experience and more matches, he will help us even more to progress together with him," he stated.
He continued: "We will have to perform with our qualities, set the tempo, and dominate the opponent, because tomorrow it will also be important, in the game, to dominate to obtain a result," he emphasized.
Drawing up an initial assessment after the two meetings, the national coach highlighted the collective progression.
"The first match was very delicate, and the fact that we won it gave us unwavering determination, and the team started to believe even more in itself," he recalled. "This was confirmed during the second match, which was very difficult against a very strong opponent. This time, we really reacted as a team, and that is what I appreciated the most," he concluded.
