Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has struck a cautious tone ahead of his side\u2019s high-stakes Round of 16 clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations, stressing discipline and focus as key to securing a place in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n
Speaking as preparations intensified for Tuesday\u2019s encounter, Mahrez acknowledged the quality and threat posed by DR Congo, describing them as a dangerous opponent capable of punishing any lapse in concentration. He said Algeria would need to raise their level to progress in the knockout stage.<\/p>\n
The Algerian skipper also dismissed suggestions that his team should be considered favorites for the title, despite an impressive group-stage campaign. He emphasized that the nature of knockout football leaves no room for complacency, insisting that the team must approach the tournament one match at a time.<\/p>\n
While admitting that lifting the AFCON trophy would be a remarkable achievement, Mahrez made it clear that his immediate focus remains firmly on the challenge posed by DR Congo.<\/p>\n
Algeria are two-time African champions, having won their first title as hosts in 1990 before clinching a second crown at the 2019 tournament in Egypt. DR Congo also boast a proud AFCON history, lifting the trophy in 1968 as Congo-Kinshasa and again in 1974 under the name Zaire.<\/p>\n
Tuesday\u2019s clash is expected to be one of the most competitive fixtures of the Round of 16, with both sides carrying pedigree, experience, and ambitions of continental glory.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez has struck a cautious tone ahead of his side\u2019s high-stakes Round of 16 clash against the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations, stressing discipline and focus as key to securing a place in the quarter-finals. Speaking as preparations intensified for Tuesday\u2019s encounter, Mahrez acknowledged the quality and<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"twitter_1160854738579181570_1160854738579181570":"","facebook_3558452337540614_100649324928663":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24,22],"tags":[2651,1387,2499,1027,123,2653,2652,1167],"class_list":{"0":"post-14918","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-africa","8":"category-sports","9":"tag-afcon-2026","10":"tag-africa-cup-of-nations","11":"tag-african-football","12":"tag-algeria","13":"tag-dr-congo","14":"tag-knockout-stage","15":"tag-riyad-mahrez","16":"tag-sports-news"},"yoast_head":"\n