Algeria head coach Vladimir Petković has praised his team’s steady progress and winning mentality following a commanding 7-0 victory over Guatemala, insisting he is not dwelling on their previous defeat to Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The Desert Foxes produced a clinical and dominant attacking display against Guatemala, highlighting their resurgence since the biennial tournament.

The emphatic win comes months after Algeria’s disappointing exit at the hands of Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the AFCON.

In that encounter, the Super Eagles secured a 2-0 victory, with goals from Victor Osimhen and Akor Adams sealing Algeria’s elimination from the continental showpiece.

Speaking after the dominant win, the Algerian boss highlighted the team’s strong run of results and dismissed the significance of the Nigeria defeat in assessing their development.

"I've been asking myself this question for a long time: is this the right match? We've won against many opponents, and we've done it in style," Petković said via Lagazette Dufennec. 

"I don't look at the match against Nigeria, which we lost, but we won the four we played before."

Nigeria went on to reach the semifinals, where they suffered defeat to hosts Morocco national football team, before bouncing back to claim a bronze medal with victory over Egypt national football team in the third-place playoff.

Adeyemi Adewale