Riyad Mahrez and his message of hope as Algeria seek AFCON miracle

Algeria have to beat Ivory Coast on Thursday at Japoma stadium in Douala or the Africa Cup of Nations holders will make a sensational exit after the first round..

Algeria are bottom of Group E and in deep trouble after a stunning 1-0 matchday 2 loss to Equatorial Guinea, a nation 85 places lower in the world rankings. Ivory Coast have met Algeria eight times in the flagship African championship from 1968 and won three, drawn three and lost two.

Riyad Mahrez, Algeria captain

"If you are not motivated in this situation, when would you be? We are in the situation where we have to win, we have to win, but we didn't lose for 35 games before the last one.

"We are ready and prepared to do our best, and we are very motivated, we have all our country behind us with a lot of support.

"All the lights are green and everything is on our side to have the best game possible.

"We deserve to go through and to keep going but we have to show it on the pitch, because we saw it two or three days ago that we had 35 game undefeated but you can lose against anyone.

It happens, it is on us to come back, to focus again, and to make the best performance we can for us first and for our country and our family."