Youssef Belaili: Algeria’s aim is to win the trophy in Cote d’Ivoire
Algerian star, Youssef Belaili, opened up exclusively to CAFOnline.com about his remarkable experience with the Desert Foxes at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2019 when they clinched their second continental title.
The Mouloudia Alger star is the current top scorer in the Algerian league with 10 goals and eight assists in just 10 matches.
He reflected on his highs and lows with the Algerian national team during the African football extravaganza in Egypt in 2019 and two years later in Cameroon.
Belaili also shared insights into the ambitions of the Desert Foxes for the upcoming tournament in Cote d’Ivoire that starts next month.
CAFOnline.com: Several strong teams will participate in the TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d’Ivoire2023. How do you anticipate the level of competition?
Youssef Belaili: I expect the level to be good. African teams rely on physical aspects of the game, and we, in turn, have an excellent team. We will give our all to go far in the upcoming TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
How do you see Algeria's chances in AFCON, being placed in a group with Burkina Faso, Angola, and Mauritania?
We have an excellent team, and we will travel to Cote d’Ivoire to achieve a good result, and why not win the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of the Nations.
What can you say about the goals set by the coach of the Algerian national team for the TotalEnergies AFCON Cote d’Ivoire2023?
As you saw in the TotalEnergies AFCON Cameroon 2021, the pitch hindered us, and our participation was not successful. But in the Cote d’Ivoire edition, winning the title will be our goal, and we hope to win our third title.
If we go back to TotalEnergies AFCON Egypt 2019, how did you manage to win the title back then?
We were a united group and set winning the title as our goal. We gave everything to make the Algerian people happy, and by God's grace, we succeeded. We aim to go far again in the Cote d’Ivoire finals.
You were one of the best players for the Algerian national team in the TotalEnergies AFCON Egypt 2019 edition. How was that experience?
It was a good experience, and it delighted our people. That is always our goal—to bring joy to the Algerian people. We tell our fans that good things are coming, and we will make you happy in the future.
What is your fondest memory of TotalEnergies AFCON Egypt 2019?
My fondest memory is the goal I scored against Senegal. It was a beautiful goal, especially as it officially secured our qualification to the second round of the competition at that time.
What do you remember about the penalty shootout you missed against the Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals of the 2019 edition?
There was pressure, and I took the last shot. I kicked it well, but it hit the post. I felt that the Ivorian player who was going to shoot behind me would miss his shot, and what I expected happened. We qualified for the semi-finals against Nigeria, and in the end, we won the Africa Cup and made our people happy.