Just hours before Algeria’s match against Congo, former international defender Drager sparked a fresh wave of debate after declaring it would be impossible for Algeria to win the Africa Cup of Nations if the tournament is hosted in Morocco.
Drager’s comments quickly spread across social media, with many Algerian fans viewing them as an attempt to stir tension at a sensitive time, especially with the national team preparing for a key fixture.
In his statement, Drager insisted that Algeria cannot lift the AFCON trophy in a Morocco-hosted edition, framing his view as a certainty rather than an opinion. The timing, coming shortly before the Congo game, added to the reaction and turned the remarks into a major talking point around the squad.
The comments also reignited wider arguments about the atmosphere surrounding major competitions in the region, with supporters split between those rejecting Drager’s message and those debating his reasoning.
No official response was issued from the Algerian camp, but the controversy has overshadowed pre-match talk, as Algeria focus on the upcoming Congo encounter while the debate around Drager’s claim continues to grow.
