AFCON 2025: Algeria coach Petkovic warns against underestimating group rivals

Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic has underlined the need for thorough preparation and respect for every opponent as the Desert Foxes prepare for their group-stage campaign at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Petkovic offered a clear assessment of Algeria’s opponents, stressing that no match will be straightforward. He described Sudan as “a very energetic and well-organised team, dangerous in the way they use the ball,” warning that intensity and discipline will be required from the opening fixture.

Petkovic also identified Burkina Faso as one of the strongest sides in the group, pointing to their experience and the presence of several key players who can influence games at the highest level. On Equatorial Guinea, the Swiss coach was equally cautious, recalling past meetings that proved challenging for Algeria.

“We have already faced them and encountered difficulties,” he noted. “That obliges us to prepare very rigorously, while remaining faithful to our identity.”

Algeria begin their campaign against Sudan, coached by Ghana’s Kwesi Appiah, with Petkovic focused on balancing respect for opponents with belief in his own squad’s quality and ambitions.