Midfielder Rafik Guitane Pledges International Future to Algeria Over Morocco

"I’m working to try to get my chance one day. If the performances are good, it will open up, you shouldn’t try to force things. [...] I have all my family in Algeria, I spend several months there every vacation. I’m very close to my family in Algeria, I visit them every year," said Rafik Guitane in the "C’est Vous l’Expert" show of La Gazette du Fennec.

And to continue: "For me there’s no debate about it, it’s Algeria 100%. Even if I don’t progress with the FAF, I won’t choose Morocco. The Federation hasn’t contacted me, but I know some players like Ramy Bensebaïni and Ismaël Bennacer".

The right winger of Estoril Praia, a first division Portuguese club, also commented on the Algerian team’s performance at the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. "We were all surprised, even disappointed. We feel there is a lot of pressure on the national team. For me, the AFCON wasn’t that bad, there were good things, but I’m still disappointed, like all Algerians. [...]," he confided.

The 24-year-old player expressed his wish to "be called up and be in competition with certain players. [...] Chaïbi and Ait Nouri impress me, they can become the pillars of the national team. I try to follow everyone, and what they are proposing is really not bad".