The coach of USM Alger, Abdelhak Benchikha, has spoken about the crucial match between the holders of the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup title against Egyptian club Al Ahly, winners of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League in the CAF Super Cup in Saudi Arabia on Friday.
The Algerian coach, in an exclusive interview with CAFOnline.com, revealed his great optimism in leading his team in the CAF Super Cup in the city of Taif.
This will be the second continental title in the history of the Algerian club despite the difficulty clash with Al Ahly, who coach Ben Sheikh believes are the favourites on paper
How are the preparations of USM Alger for the CAF Super Cup match against Al Ahly of Egypt?
Our preparations were normal because they consisted of preparations for the start of the football season. We prepared for 16 days outside the country, specifically in Tunisia, where we played 3 friendly matches and several training sessions. This is part of our regular preparations for the football season, not just special preparations for the CAF Super Cup.
Are you ready to face Al Ahly of Egypt in the CAF Super Cup final?
What can I say, our situation is the same as Al Ahly’s situation. It will be more of an exhibition match than anything else. We hope to be up to the level. Everything is fine for us, despite the injuries I have in the team roster. We started tactical preparations for the Al Ahly match, and we are gradually preparing for every big and small thing.
What can you say about a match of this magnitude, especially since it will be against Al Ahly in a major competition like the CAF Super Cup?
This is a football match where anything is possible. In one game we can see any result, which is why we are optimistic before traveling to Saudi Arabia. We are optimistic and why not come back with the cup.
What message do you have for your players before this important continental appointment awaiting them, especially since you are known for your experience in African arenas?
I always tell them that we must be focused as we are supposed to be throughout the match, and show the face that a football match requires of us. We must be calm, comfortable and match Al Ahly. Because at the end of the day there is nothing for us to lose. The pressure during the match will be on the opponent, especially since Al Ahly is on paper the favorite to win given its history and titles it holds, not to mention that it is the team of the century. At the same time, we respect our Egyptian brothers and respect Al Ahly. Despite all this, we also want to win.
Some new players have been recruited who you have not had the chance to see in official matches. How do you deal with these players before the important match?
Honestly, I have a problem in this regard, because these new players do not know how the coach thinks and how the rest of the team members think. They only joined us recently, and we are trying to address some issues with them, and make them know how we think before and during the match.
The fans of USM Alger want the second continental title in the club’s history under your leadership. What do you say to them?
I hope we make the people who believe in us happy, and the work we do. Things are not completely easy and the fans know that very well. But we are able to challenge and we will be satisfied with what God has written for us. We must represent Algerian football with a high sporting spirit.
Final words
I ask the people who love us to pray for us to be crowned with the African Super Cup title. At the end of the day, this is just football.
