Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is wary of Kenya being something of an unknown commodity when the two teams kick off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in a Group C encounter on Sunday.
“We do not know much about Kenya. We (the current players) never played against them,” Mahrez told a news conference on Saturday.
“We have watched a lot of videos of them and we have played similar teams.”
Kenya are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2004. They last played Algeria 22 years ago.
Mahrez is Algeria’s highest profile player as they bid for their first Cup of Nations success since 1990.
But the Manchester City winger, who was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016, said he did not see himself as a talisman for the side.
“We don’t go into the game of worrying about who is a great player or who has won the African Footballer of the Year award,” he said.
“I’m part of a collective, the most important is the team.”
He added he was delighted to be named captain.
“It’s a responsibility that I’m proud to assume. You have to be a leader on and off the pitch.”
Latest Stories
-
Alliance with other parties, not a merger – Alan Kyerematen
14 mins -
Ghana’s Mohammed Fuseini scores in Randers 2-2 draw Odense BK
22 mins -
We are behind schedule on flood control programme – Oppong Nkrumah
24 mins -
Jennifer Kankam scores five against Tala’ea El Gaish in ZED FC’s big win in Egyptian league
33 mins -
You won’t start at Hearts of Oak – Charles Taylor tells Erling Haaland
46 mins -
People have lost patriotism, passion for the nation – Sulemana Braimah
1 hour -
You can’t use context of past elections to determine what will happen in December polls- Alan
1 hour -
2024 poll: Don’t vote for Mahama; he has nothing new to offer – Afenyo-Markin
2 hours -
Saglemi Housing Project: Government promises transparency in divestiture
2 hours -
I don’t want to deceive myself as a politician – Alan Kyerematen
2 hours -
We will continue to provide more financing for Ghana despite not reaching agreement with Eurobond holders – IMF
2 hours -
Economic outlook for Sub-Saharan Africa including Ghana gradually improving – IMF
3 hours -
Ghana’s inflation to average 11.5% in 2025; policy rate expected to reduce sharply – IMF
3 hours -
Let’s prioritize research quality in higher education institutions for industrial growth-Prof. Nathaniel Boso
11 hours -
Herman Suede is set to release ‘How Dare You’ on April 24
14 hours