Algeria shall be seeking to make it an ideal Africa Cup of Nations group part once they face Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday, significantly in the event that they preserve one other clear sheet as goalkeeper Luca Zidane shines in Morocco.
The 2-time African champions began their marketing campaign with a 3-0 win over Sudan adopted by a 1-0 victory towards Burkina Faso to safe prime spot in Group E by which Zidane made essential saves to maintain Vladimir Petkovic’s aspect within the sport.
Algeria saved one clear sheet of their earlier six video games at AFCON, the place they had been eradicated within the group stage in 2021 and 2023 respectively after being topped African champions within the 2019 version in Egypt.
Nevertheless, since Zidane, son of French World Cup-winning nice Zinedine, switched worldwide allegiance in September after enjoying for France as a junior, Algeria have saved two clear sheets in three video games with him in all competitions.
The 27-year-old Granada goalkeeper has tailored rapidly since changing into first selection, Petkovic remarked.
“Zidane contributed considerably to each victories. He started to combine and achieve expertise in a brief time period,” the coach mentioned on Tuesday.
Regardless of solely being with the crew since October, Luca Zidane has not been shy about instructing his new teammates, defender Ryan Ait-Nouri mentioned.
“Luca is a unbelievable particular person. He built-in rapidly into the group, he is very talkative on the pitch, and he offers us nice assist. He is a participant and an individual who suits the crew completely,” Ait-Nouri added.
One other clear sheet shouldn’t be too troublesome towards an Equatorial Guinea aspect who’ve been eradicated from the match having scored as soon as in two video games.
Earlier this month, Luca Zidane, son of French World Cup-winner Zinedine, mentioned his grandfather had supported him in switching worldwide allegiance to Algeria, after enjoying for France on the junior degree.
