You Can't Compare The World Cup To The AFCON…Mandi

Algeria and Reims defender Aissa Mandi has said that the FIFA World Cup and the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) are totally different competitions.

Speaking in an interview ahead of their last Group C match with Senegal on Tuesday in Malabo, the defender said, " You can't compare the World Cup to the African Cup of Nations. They are two totally different competitions. Nigeria got to the last 16 at the World Cup, but didn't qualify here, but we are motivated in a positive mood and we will try to win."

The Desert Warriors lost their second Group C match 0-1 to Ghana and coach Christian Gourcuff has put the defeat at the doorstep of the high humidity in Mongomo as well as the frustrating nature of the pitch, which, according to him makes movement of the ball very difficult and that the change of venue to the Capital Malabo will work to their advantage.

"A match at 19:00 here is no worse than a game at 17:00 in Mongomo. As for the state of the pitch, it was very difficult but here we hope to be able to play our passing game," the Frenchman said.

"If you are on the pitch in Mongomo, try to put together three passes. I'm not sure Lionel Messi could manage that," he added.

Algeria, tagged as one of the favourites for this competition due to their sterling performance in the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup will be eliminated should they fail to pick a positive point (s) from their clash against the Teranga Lions later today.