Malawi’s Defeat Boosted Us —Masouri

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Captain Yazid Mansouri says the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists Algeria are indebted to first-match tormentors Malawi.

“We lacked humility and paid the price,” said the 31-year-old midfielder from French Ligue 1 club Lorient as he recalled a 3-0 drubbing by the tournament minnows in Luanda two weeks ago.

“Algeria forgot that qualifying for the 2010 World Cup meant nothing to our rivals. To justify our status as one of the best teams on the continent we had to deliver quality football during each match.

“Our team was challenged from the start of the Nations Cup and Malawi succeeded perfectly, delivering an uppercut that could have left us on the ground forever.

“Luckily we reacted with pride and self esteem against the Malians. Once in a while a child needs a good knock to understand.”

Algeria squeezed past Mali 1-0 via a Rafik Halliche header and then fought a goalless, soulless stalemate with hosts Angola to finish Group A runners-up.