Algerian Star Aymen Mahious Reflects on African Football’s Rise and CHAN Ambitions
Hey, have you heard about the buzz around African football lately? It’s been said that the game has made incredible progress over the years, and no one highlights this better than Algeria’s own Aymen Mahious. He’s the international striker who’s been making waves, especially after his outstanding performance in the African Nations Championship, or CHAN, which is a tournament for players competing in local leagues.
Mahious recently spoke about how much African football has evolved. He emphasized that whether you look at local teams or the national A squads, the level of play across the continent has definitely stepped up. This is something he’s personally experienced and witnessed firsthand. The Algerian striker, who won the Golden Boot in the last CHAN edition, is very optimistic about his team’s chances this year. The current CHAN is being hosted jointly by Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya in East Africa, and Mahious’s team, the Algerian Fennecs, are aiming for nothing less than the championship title.
In an exclusive chat with the Confederation of African Football’s official site, Mahious opened up about a tough memory—the penalty he missed in the 2022 CHAN final against Senegal. That miss was crucial, as it handed the title to the Senegalese team, the Lions of Teranga, in a final played at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers. Despite that setback, Mahious has stayed strong and focused, using that experience as motivation to push forward.
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He also talked about the recent opening match of CHAN 2024, where Algeria convincingly defeated the host country, Uganda, by three goals to zero. Mahious said that starting with such a commanding win sends a strong message to all the other teams in the competition. It wasn’t just about the scoreline, but how well the team executed their game plan and stayed disciplined throughout the match, even against a home crowd.
When asked about his ambitions, Mahious stressed that his main goal is to help the team first, and the goals will come naturally after. Last time, he was the top scorer but couldn’t help his team lift the trophy. This time, he’s determined to go all the way and bring the championship home.
He reflected on the missed penalty in 2022, acknowledging that maybe overconfidence played a part but insisted that setbacks are part of the game. He said, “It’s God who grants success,” showing humility and a positive mindset about the future.
Mahious also shared his thoughts on the passion for football in Algeria compared to Europe. Having played in Switzerland, he noted that while European fans might accept draws or losses more calmly, in Algeria, the pressure to win is constant and intense. This pressure, he believes, fuels the players’ drive to perform at their best every single match.
To the Algerian fans eagerly following CHAN 2024, Mahious promises the team will give everything on the pitch to make them proud and honor the nation’s colors. With the spirit and progress of African football growing stronger by the day, it’s clear that Mahious and his teammates are ready to write a new chapter in the continent’s football story.
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