The Cameroonian coach, Rigobert Song, obviously did not digest the defeat of these lion cubs against the Fennecs in Douala.
The former central defender of the Cameroonian selection did not go with the back of the spoon and gave way to a hot reaction which is not part of the real analysis of the match “they played at 7 in defense” he said straight away before letting his color run wild “Algeria didn’t come to play, unlike us. We had more chances than them, they only had one, it’s complicated to cross a barrier of 7 people behind,” he adds.
Deep down, the new coach of the Indomitable Lions knows very well that he lost his match within the match, namely the tactical battle against Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi. The latter has concocted a modern game plan based on the solidity and solidarity of the group. In a 3-4-3 that turns into 5-2-3 in the defensive phases, the Algerian team blocked all Cameroonian offensives and did not leave any clear chance for Song’s team.
A game plan that is not trivial since the Algerian selection has demonstrated that the difficulties related to the state of the lawn and the imbalance between the different sectors of play during the last AFCON were only a memory of the past. . The Cameroonian coach was surprised by his Algerian counterpart in the reading of the match.
Song isn’t losing hope, says he hasn’t said his last word yet and assures that he has more details now on the Algeria squad, “we are reassured that nothing is done yet. Now we know how we are going to prepare for qualification in Algeria,” he said at the post-match press conference at Japoma Stadium.
Belmadi’s Surprise
During this press conference, the captain of the Algerian team, Riyad Mahrez, did not do half measures and clearly attributed the merit, first, to his coach “it is our victory in all yes, but the coach has done a huge job, ”announces the Manchester City newspaper.
Mahrez pointed out the consequences of the last CAN on the performance of his teammates, “the work has not started in Malabo, since the defeat against Côte d’Ivoire we have been working each on his own and with the coach. He started his work two months ago,” assures the Algerian international. This work without making too much noise is one of the characteristics of national coach Djamel Belmadi. In great difficulty during the CAN, Belmadi did not despair and continued his work without questioning his whole path.
The tactical victory against Cameroon testifies to the perseverance and intelligence of the 2019 African champion coach. Reputed to be formidable and invincible at home, Belmadi’s men made short work of the Cameroonian Lions. Tamed tactically, the Song players will revisit their plan for the next game.
