Algeria is set to start its Africa Cup of Nations journey on Wednesday in Morocco, with captain Riyad Mahrez urging the team to leave past disappointments behind.
The Desert Foxes are determined to turn the page after underwhelming campaigns in recent tournaments.
The team last tasted glory six years ago in Egypt, lifting their second AFCON trophy. But their attempt to defend the title in Cameroon three years later ended in a first-round exit with only one point, and in the 2024 edition in Ivory Coast, Algeria failed to secure a single win in the group stage.
"There is no doubt that we were not good at the last two AFCONs but that is in the past now. All that is behind us," Mahrez said on Tuesday in Rabat, ahead of the opening match against Sudan.
"Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to make up for what has happened and do better. Tomorrow it is time for this generation."
Ranked fourth in Africa by FIFA, Algeria aims to live up to expectations and build momentum for the World Cup in North America, where they will appear for the first time since 2014.
Mahrez, who turns 35 in February and now plays for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, could be approaching his final international tournaments.
The captain is optimistic about the new talents in the squad, such as VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and goalkeeper Luca Zidane. Luca, the son of French legend Zinedine Zidane, plays for Granada in Spain’s second division and made his Algeria debut in October.
Mahrez believes he can help resolve the team’s long-standing goalkeeping issues.
"Luca has integrated well into the squad and is trying to give everything for the team," Mahrez said. "I know his name is a big weight to carry but he is not letting that get to him."
Algeria will face Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in Group E, with the knockout stage likely to present significant challenges.
Winning the group would mean a last-16 tie against the runners-up of Group D, including Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, while finishing second would see them face the winners of Group F, which features defending champions Ivory Coast and Cameroon.
