The last time Riyad Mahrez went to the Africa Cup of Nations, he was just one of many.
An important member of the Algeria squad, perhaps, as Mahrez went into the tournament with an impressive qualification campaign that included two goals and four assists.
But he was by no means the star. It was not Mahrez that compelled adoring fans to travel hundreds of miles for a picture.
Then, though, he was not a Premier League winner with 17 goals to his name. He was not the PFA player of the year, nor the African footballer of the year. He had not finished seventh in the Ballon d’Or.
Now, as Algeria go in search of their first Africa Cup of Nations final in 27 years, Mahrez is the main man.
His departure from Messali Hadj Tlemcen airport ahead of the competition was headline news.
Mahrez in action for Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015“I have to do pictures, pictures and more pictures,” Mahrez told Sky Sports.
“But it’s normal for them because they love me and want to see me. Some people come from 400 or 500 miles away and say, ‘Please, I just want a picture!
“It’s not good to say no otherwise they came for nothing. But there are a lot of people. You can’t please everyone, you know what I mean? You can’t please 5,000 or 10,000 people.”
With the new-found adoration comes larger responsibility. It is on his languid shoulders now that the hopes of a nation rest.
On his and Leicester City team-mate Islam Slimani’s when the tournament begins in Gabon on January 14.
Algeria are third favourites to win the competition, behind Ivory Coast and Senegal.
Is Mahrez now Leicester City’s record international goalscorer?
The City duo both scored braces in a 6-0 friendly victory over Mauritania. That could well make Mahrez City’s leading international goalscorer, although there are doubts over whether the contest, played behind closed doors, was sanctioned as an ‘official’ friendly.
Like Algeria, Ghana are also among the pre-tournament favourites, with City midfielder Daniel Amartey among their ranks.
With two nations qualifying from each pool, both Algeria and Ghana are expected to reach the quarter-finals, although Mahrez and Slimani’s Fennec Foxes have a particularly tough draw, facing Senegal, Tunisia and Zimbabwe in Group B.
“It’s a difficult group for us,” says Mahrez. “In Africa there are a lot of good teams so we knew we’d have a big group. It’s okay, we have to deal with it.”
Amartey’s Black Stars take on Egypt, Mali and Uganda in Group D.
Algeria duo Mahrez and Slimani celebrate together during Leicester City’s game against BurnleyThe City players cannot meet in the quarter-finals, but could face off in the semi-finals if both sides progress.
What Mahrez, Slimani and Amartey have to juggle, though, is the tournament being in the middle of Leicester’s domestic campaign.
“It’s difficult to have the Africa Cup of Nations during the season because you focus on the league and then you go to Africa, then straightaway you come back and have to refocus in the league,” he says.
“The weather in Africa is not the same either. It’s all about adapting, but we’re footballers and we have to do that.”
What Claudio Ranieri will be hoping is that Mahrez is able to return, whether victorious or not, and perform for the Premier League champions.
The last time Mahrez went away, former boss Nigel Pearson complained that players involved in the Africa Cup of Nations would be away for a month and then take another four weeks to get back up to speed.
City cannot afford that, not with a trip to Sevilla in the Champions League just around the corner.
Full schedule:
(All matches are shown live in the UK on Eurosport, all times local)
Group B
- Algeria v Zimbabwe, Sunday, January 15, 4.0
- Algeria v Tunisia, Thursday, January 19, 4.0
- Algeria v Senegal, Monday, January 23, 7.0
Group D
- Ghana v Uganda, Tuesday, January 17, 4.0
- Ghana v Mali, Saturday, January 21, 4.0
- Ghana v Egypt, Wednesday, January 25, 7.0
Quarter-finals
- Group A winner v Group B runner-up, Saturday, January 28, 4.0
- Group B winner v Group A runner-up, Saturday, January 28, 7.0
- Group C winner v Group D runner-up, Sunday, January 29, 4.0
- Group D winner v Group C runner-up, Sunday, January 29, 7.0
Semi-finals
- Winner of quarter-final 1 v winner of quarter-final 4, Wednesday, February 1, 7.0
- Winner of quarter-final 2 v winner of quarter-final 3, Thursday, February 2, 7.0
Third-place play-off
- Loser of semi-final 1 v loser of semi-final 2, Saturday, February 4, 7.0
Final
- Winner of semi-final 1 v winner of semi-final 2, Sunday, February 5, 7.0
Read more at http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leicester-city-star-riyad-mahrez-carriying-algeria-hopes-into-africa-cup-of-nations/story-30050224-detail/story.html#7ykeQTf5oprSscJP.99
