AFCON: Algeria coach will not focus on Liverpool's Sadio Mane

Senegal's Sadio Mane. [Courtesy]

Algeria head coach Djamel Belmadi wriggled a little in his seat during the pre-match press conference match.

An Algerian journalist had asked how his side planned to deal with Champions League winner, Senegalese Sadio Mane when they meet for their second Group C match tonight.

Belmadi sought to deflect from the drabness of this imminent dilemma with a nod. He barely smiled, before sitting up and shot back.

“I am not in favour of stressing on individuals, but over teams. Every team has a star; Mahrez, Mane, Salah, but I dwell on teams, because teams win tournaments,” said Belmadi.

It’s a predicament that exists ostensibly only in theory, but how do you stop the menacing Liverpool man Mane?

It’s no doubt that his markers and opposition agonise not about whether they ought to, but if they are able to. In his gloomy pose, Belmadi might have as well retold the sticky situation all over again.

If it is possible to silence the 2018-19 English Premier League’s top scorer out of contention, to switch off his ever-raving engine, then Algeria will be glad to do just that.