Opponent watch: Algeria stars say they don’t feel AFCON pressure but wary of Ghana threat

Algerian right-back Aissa Mandi tells Le Buteur: “We know things won’t be easy in Equatorial Guinea, but we will have to adapt quickly to the conditions of the tournament.

“We are aware that the competition will be tough for the trophy, but we don’t feel any pressure despite our status of favourites. It will even help us to do our job well. We are confident and aware of our potential.”

One of the Algerians who impressed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, left-back Faouzi Ghoulam, reserved a hint of praise for Ghana.

“We need to prepare well for the Afcon. We will do everything to have a successful Africa Cup. However, we need to be very wary of Ghana in the first round,” Ghoulam says.