After a strategic day of rest, the Algerian national team, ‘Les Verts,’ returned to the training pitch on Friday, shifting their focus entirely to the high-stakes knockout phase of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. Their mission is clear: prepare for a formidable Round of 16 opponent, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a match scheduled for Tuesday at 5:00 PM local time. This single-elimination fixture represents a pivotal moment where the team’s entire tournament ambitions are on the line.
The session, held four days before the decisive encounter, saw 25 of the 28 squad members participate. This high turnout indicates a squad largely intact and ready to work, but the absences present a significant tactical subplot for the coaching staff.
The most pressing concern is the defensive line. The team was without central defender Mohamed Amine Tougaï, who sustained an injury during the 3-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea. As a precaution, he was held out for rest and assessment. Compounding this issue were the continued absences of fellow defenders Samir Chergui and Jaouen Hadjam, who are also sidelined with injuries. This triple blow to the defensive unit forces the technical staff to consider alternative pairings and strategies ahead of facing the potent ‘Leopards’ of DR Congo.
The medical team is conducting daily evaluations on Tougaï’s recovery, with his availability for Tuesday hanging in the balance. The decision will be a delicate one, weighing the risk of aggravating the injury against the need for his experience in a knockout match. This scenario is a classic tournament dilemma: managing short-term player fitness against long-term competitive goals.
For the first 15 minutes, the session was open to the media, who observed the squad engaged in rigorous core-strengthening and activation exercises. This initial phase, often focused on injury prevention and physical priming, is critical before moving into tactical drills. It underscores the modern approach to preparation, where athletic stability is the foundation for technical execution.
With the group stage now behind them, Algeria is fully immersed in the ‘knockout mentality.’ The match against DR Congo, who impressed during the group stage, demands a different psychological and tactical approach. There is no margin for error; a draw leads directly to the tension of a penalty shootout. The focus must now be on concentration, defensive discipline, and clinical efficiency in attack—qualities that define champions in tournament football.
Led by captain Riyad Mahrez, the squad’s determination to advance is palpable. The challenge ahead requires not just individual talent but collective resilience. The coming days of preparation will be spent fine-tuning set-pieces, analyzing DR Congo’s key threats, and building the mental fortitude required for a match where the price of failure is an immediate exit from the continent’s most prestigious tournament.
Adapted from DZfoot reporting