Algeria head coach Vladimir Petkovic has expressed his excitement ahead of a heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinal clash against Nigeria.
The “Desert Foxes” booked their place in the final eight following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over DR Congo on Tuesday night.They now face a high-flying Super Eagles side that dismantled Mozambique 4-0 on Monday.
Despite acknowledging Nigeria’s strength and title credentials, Petkovic is relishing the challenge. “We will start focusing on Nigeria now, concentrating on our own strengths,” he stated.
The coach dismissed concerns regarding the short turnaround before Saturday’s match, insisting that physical recovery is secondary to mental preparation.
Petkovic believes these high-stakes encounters are vital for his team’s growth, noting that discipline and effort will be the deciding factors.