première séance légère pour les Verts
Preparation of the Algerian National Team for CHAN 2025 Qualifiers
The Algerian A’ national football team has commenced its preparation camp at the National Technical Center in Sidi Moussa, Algiers. This training session, organized by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF), runs through May 9 in anticipation of their double-header against Gambia, which is part of the final round of qualifiers for the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Training Session Details
On the opening day, the team participated in their first training session led by head coach Vladimir Petkovic, who provided an encouraging speech to motivate the players. The session was directed by assistant coach Madjid Bougherra, lasting about one hour and focused on recovery exercises on one of the center’s training pitches, followed by indoor activities and concluding with cryotherapy for recovery.
A few players were absent from this training session. Five individuals from CS Constantine—Bouhalfaya, Baouche, Dib, Merbah, and Belhocini—missed out due to their commitments in the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final’s return leg. Additionally, players Azzi, Draoui, and Benkhemassa participated only in rehabilitation sessions rather than the collective training.
Upcoming Matches and Expectations
The preparation at Sidi Moussa will continue until the team travels to Gambia on May 1. Coach Petkovic has released a roster of 26 players for this important qualification stage. The first match against Gambia is scheduled for May 3 at Independence Stadium in Bakau, kicking off at 16:00 local time in Algeria. The return fixture will take place on May 9 at the 19-May-1956 Stadium in Annaba, starting at 19:00.
Should Algeria secure qualification, they would be placed in Group C for the final phase, alongside Uganda, Niger, Guinea, and one additional team from the second playoff (either South Africa or Malawi).
A total of 19 teams will compete in the upcoming edition of CHAN, which was postponed from 2024 due to delays in preparations to ensure a successful tournament. The last CHAN edition, held in Algeria in 2023, concluded with Senegal defeating Algeria in the final match, which ended goalless and was decided by a penalty shootout (5-4) at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki on February 4.
In conclusion, the Algerian A’ team is gearing up diligently for their crucial matches against Gambia, with high hopes for progression in the tournament. The team’s commitment and the strategic management of their preparation can pave the way for another successful chapter in Algerian football.
