Former France international and Manchester City attacking midfielder Samir Nasri has tipped Algeria as favourites for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.
Born in Marseille, France, the 27-year-old player says he is an enthusiast of Algeria where his parents hail from and watches the Fennec Foxes regularly.
“I really appreciated Algeria’s outing at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil,†Nasri said on Wednesday. “It was widely unexpected and many people were stunned.
“They almost knocked out eventual winners Germany. It was awesome and I was greatly flattered,†he said.
The former Arsenal player sent encouragement messages to the North African team during the World Cup like his former teammate Franck Ribery, who is married to an Algerian.
“I can confirm that Algeria have progressed under new coach Christian Gourcuff. I have been following the team and I can boldly tip them to lift the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations trophy,†he said.
Algeria will battle Senegal, Ghana and South Africa in Group C to be based in Mongomo.