Algeria coach admits Burkina Faso played at a higher level than expected

Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković praised his team’s performance following their victory over Burkina Faso at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria secured a 1-0 win against the Burkinabe side in the second round of the group stage, extending their perfect start to the tournament after an opening victory over Sudan. The result saw the Desert Warriors move top of Group E and officially qualify for the Round of 16, alongside Egypt and Nigeria.

Speaking after the match, Petković acknowledged the challenges his team faced, but praised the players’ performance.
“The players delivered a strong performance. We faced difficulties, but we managed to overcome them successfully,” he said.

He added: “We created a large number of chances. It’s true that we didn’t score many goals, but the most important thing is that we qualified, and we are happy with that.”

Petković also addressed the injury concerns surrounding Jaouen Hadjam and Samir Chergui, saying: “I hope the injuries suffered by Hadjam and Chergui are not serious. We will wait for the medical test results before deciding on the next steps.”

Looking ahead, the Algeria coach explained: 
“From now on, we will start preparing for the next game. I will make some changes, evaluate each player’s performance, and give more players the opportunity.”

Petković reiterated Algeria’s ambitions in the tournament, stating: “We are competing to win the Africa Cup of Nations. Now we must focus on what remains of our journey, because every match will be more difficult than the one before.”

He also addressed Burkina Faso’s display, noting: “Burkina Faso played at a higher level than I expected. We faced difficulties during the match, but the players knew how to manage the game and control its rhythm.”

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