The Algerian football team has no alternative but winning against Tunisia in their African Cup of Nations Gr. B clash on Thursday at the Stadium of Franceville (5 PM).
Only a win would revive Algeria chances to qualify to the quarterfinals, notably following the unexpected and disappointing performance against the surprising team of Zimbabwe (2-2) which almost caused the upset.
But to avoid all calculations, the Desert Foxes are obliged to win against Tunisia, defeated by an excellent team of Senegal (2-0).
The Algerians, in difficult situation, are able to bounce back as happened in the previous Afcon-2015 in Equatorial Guinea when, beaten in the second match by Ghana (1-0), they had found extra gears to beat Senegal (2-0) and snatch their qualification to quarterfinals.
"We are focusing on the important match against Tunisia, we will prove that we are mentally tough. Certainly, we are aware of the task ahead of us so we will have to respond on Thursday, "said defender Mohamed-Rabie Meftah, just over 24 hours of this crucial encounter.
The national coach, Georges Leekens, has the same speech.
We have to "forget the result of Zimbabwe match and we have to fight against Tunisia we must imperatively beat," repeated the national coach to his players during the last training sessions.
