BY: Hana Saada
ALGIERS- Djamel Belmadi, the coach of the Algerian national football team, addressed the press at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Baraki, shedding light on Algeria’s preparations for the upcoming 34th Africa Cup of Nations (CAN-2023), now scheduled for 2024 in Côte d’Ivoire.
Belmadi acknowledged that Algeria does not consider itself a favorite for the tournament, given their early exit in the previous edition and failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming CAN and revealed the squad of 26 players, including four from the local league.
The national team is set to fly to Lomé, Togo, for the final preparations, featuring two friendly matches against Togo on January 5 and Burundi on January 9. Belmadi sees these friendlies as crucial in finalizing the starting lineup for the opening match against Angola.
While Belmadi downplayed Algeria’s favoritism, he acknowledged traditional football powerhouses like Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, Nigeria, and the host nation, Côte d’Ivoire, as strong contenders. Despite not considering Algeria among the top favorites, Belmadi expressed confidence in the team’s current state of preparation.
The coach stressed the importance of starting the tournament with a victory, recognizing the challenges posed by Angola, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania in the group stage. Belmadi drew lessons from Algeria’s contrasting performances in the last two editions of the CAN, winning in 2019 and facing an early exit in 2022.
In conclusion, Belmadi reassured the public that the team is well-prepared, taking into account both physical and mental aspects. He expressed satisfaction with the general preparation of the squad, considering the challenges presented by player releases from clubs and some injuries.
Algeria is determined to make a strong impact in the CAN-2023 and aims to build on the success of 2019, approaching the tournament with a mix of certainty and ambition.
Dzair Tube Media Group
Dzair Tube has firmly established itself as a prominent player among Algerian digital news sites, offering a diverse and enriching content experience. The platform, available in Arabic, French, and English editions, captures the attention of a wide-ranging audience, amassing over half a million daily clicks.
A testament to its commitment to excellence, Dzair Tube received the prestigious President of the Republic’s Award for Professional Journalist in the Electronic Press category on October 22, 2022. This recognition underscores the platform’s unwavering dedication to upholding the highest standards of journalism.
With a significant online presence, Dzair Tube boasts 350,000 subscribers on YouTube, over five million followers on various Facebook pages, and 450,000 subscribers on Instagram. Its digital channel has become a hub for diverse programming, covering news, sports, entertainment, culture, and religion, catering to a broad spectrum of audience preferences.
Equipped with state-of-the-art studios and advanced technology, Dzair Tube’s digital channel has garnered substantial viewership for its varied programs. Hosting interactive discussions with influential figures across different domains, the platform actively fosters public discourse and engagement. Beyond news coverage, Dzair Tube extends its commitment to the production of marketing documentaries, short TV commercials, and high-viewership programs.
The success of the print edition of Dzair Tube’s sports newspaper, “Dzair Sport,” further highlights the platform’s impact, with over 50,000 daily downloads from the official Dzair Tube website.
Recently honored with the Media Leadership Award from the Minister of Communication, Mohamed Laâgab, Dzair Tube continues to shape the landscape of Algerian digital news, maintaining a position of influence and impact in the media industry.
