The Manchester City forward is set to lead the Desert Warriors as they seek to defend their crown in Cameroon.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has vowed to make his country and people proud ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 2019 winners begin the defense of their crown on Tuesday against Sierra Leone in Group E. They head into the tournament in superb form, on an unbeaten 25-match run and having recently won the FIFA Arab Cup.
Djamel Belmadi’s side are heavily fancied to progress into the knockouts and challenge for AFCON glory.
🇩🇿 @Mahrez22 sharing his excitement with the world! #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 | #AFCON2021 | #TeamAlgeria | @LesVerts pic.twitter.com/2GgsDnEaGh
— #TotalEnergiesAFCON2021 🏆 (@CAF_Online) January 9, 2022
Mahrez’s message to Algeria fans
Speaking ahead to the start of AFCON in a video message on social media, Mahrez said: “I am at the Africa Cup of Nations so I just wanted to say thank you for all the support from all over the world.
“Obviously from our Algerian people and for our country, we are going to make you proud.”
Mahrez has managed 26 goals and 34 assists in 70 appearances for Algeria since making his international debut in 2014.
The two-time AFCON winners will also face Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea in Group E.
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