Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is wary of Kenya being something of an unknown commodity when the two teams kick off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign in a Group C encounter on Sunday.
“We do not know much about Kenya. We (the current players) never played against them,” Mahrez told a news conference on Saturday.
“We have watched a lot of videos of them and we have played similar teams.”
Kenya are making their first appearance in the tournament since 2004. They last played Algeria 22 years ago.
Mahrez is Algeria’s highest profile player as they bid for their first Cup of Nations success since 1990.
But the Manchester City winger, who was named African Footballer of the Year in 2016, said he did not see himself as a talisman for the side.
“We don’t go into the game of worrying about who is a great player or who has won the African Footballer of the Year award,” he said.
“I’m part of a collective, the most important is the team.”
He added he was delighted to be named captain.
“It’s a responsibility that I’m proud to assume. You have to be a leader on and off the pitch.”
Latest Stories
-
Analysis: What’s in the NDC’s first mid-year budget review
2 minutes -
ENI applauds Ghana’s investment climate as government pledges stronger support for energy growth
2 minutes -
OmniBSIC Bank returns for 2025 JoySports Invitational Tournament
21 minutes -
Photos: Ghana defeat Niger to finish third in WAFU-B U20 Boys Cup
1 hour -
Star Assurance signs up for JoySports Invitational Tournament
1 hour -
Indigenous firm Dutylex partners with Petro-Canada Lubricants to expand footprint in Africa
1 hour -
JAPTU Ghana pays courtesy call on IGP Yohuno, POMAB members
2 hours -
The healers who were left behind: A tale from Nunyãdume
2 hours -
Telecel bridging digital divide through KNUST SONSOL Programme
2 hours -
2025 Mid-Year Budget: Trade expert calls for single-digit inflation to strengthen economy
2 hours -
From Doubt to Dreams: Telecel’s 2Moorch Money Promo changes a nurse’s life
2 hours -
A strong cedi that Ghana does feel – policy and market behaviour
2 hours -
GIPC facilitates 2,000 jobs following milestone aftercare intervention
3 hours -
2025 Mid-Year Budget: Economy is on steady course – Trade Expert
3 hours -
Stanbic Investment Management Services Ltd announces strong 2024 performance
3 hours