SOCCER: Petkovic - ‘Every game tougher’ as Algeria chase African crown

Algeria edged past Burkina Faso 1-0 to top Group E and advance to the Africa Cup of Nations last 16, with coach Vladimir Petkovic praising their tough resistance and emphasizing the challenges ahead.

REUTERS

December 29, 2025

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group C - Algeria v Burkina Faso - Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 28, 2025 Algeria fans are pictured inside the stadium REUTERS/Stringer

Reuters

Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic admitted he did not expect the level of resistance from Burkina Faso after his side battled to a 1-0 win on Sunday, securing a place in the Africa Cup of Nations Round of 16.

“Burkina Faso played at a higher level than I expected, and we faced several difficulties during the match, but the players managed to control the game and dictate its tempo,” Petkovic told reporters.

“We are competing to win the African crown, and now we must focus on the remainder of our journey because every game will be tougher than the previous one,” he added.

Algeria finished top of Group E with six points, ensuring they cannot be overtaken by either Burkina Faso or Sudan, who have three points each. Burkina Faso will face Sudan in their final group game on Wednesday, while Algeria meet bottom-placed Equatorial Guinea, who have already been eliminated.

Chasing a third continental title, Algeria will aim to maintain their momentum against Equatorial Guinea in their last group match.

-Reporting by Ashraf Hamed Atta; editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters