CAN-2019: Perfume Of Final Before The Half Algeria

Shock in sight in the semi-finals of CAN-2019, between a convincing Algeria since the start of the tournament, and a Nigeria which has finally found a dynamic. With, in sight, a final match for the coronation against the winner of Senegal – Tunisia.

Algeria and Nigeria in the semi-finals of CAN-2019? Not necessarily a historical classic, but which nevertheless constitutes a very enticing poster between two big names from the continent. And above all a duel with the taste of the final for the Greens, since each time they had reached the last meeting of an African Cup, they had found the Super Eagles there. For the worst (1980), as for the best (1990).

Nearly thirty years therefore separate the Fennecs from their one and only African Cup title and the quest for a second coronation therefore goes through a victory against the rough Nigeria, Sunday July 14 at the Cairo International Stadium. “The only AFCON we won was 30 years ago at home. Winning away from home is more difficult…” moreover recalled Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi, while once again being careful not to put on the costume of favorite that all the press has been carving out for his group since the start of the season. tournament.

#CAN2019 #ALGNIG Djamel Belmadi, Algeria coach 🇩🇿: “I’m tired of answering this question at every conference… It’s a semi-final, there are no outsiders, no favorites…” pic.twitter.com/gjLwzbrdR2

— Yabuco #Sorare (@y_bux) July 13, 2019

A few hours before this semi-final, the statistics speak in any case very clearly in favor of the Algerians: three group wins, an eighth in freewheeling against Guinea (3-0) and a more difficult qualification, on penalties. goals, against an Ivory Coast which had regained its football for two hours.

The experience in Nigeria

“Algeria are more impressive than us, with 10 goals scored and only one conceded. We are 7 goals scored against 5 conceded”, did not fail to underline, as a fine statistician, the coach of the Nigerians Gernot Rohr. Before paying tribute to his next opponent, in front of the journalists at a press conference: “I think that this CAN gives us a good image of Algerian football, the level is high, it is the best teams that are there. »

#CAN2019 #ALGNIG Gernot Rohr, Nigeria coach 🇳🇬: “We are the second favorites (in this match)… after Algeria. » pic.twitter.com/sWeiTElI9L

— Yabuco #Sorare (@y_bux) July 13, 2019

And difficult to prove the Franco-German technician wrong on this point. Algeria is strong, but so is Nigeria. The Super Eagles had however started the competition at a slow trot, with two narrow victories and a defeat against Madagascar. They then managed to establish a good dynamic. In the 8th round, they came out of a crazy match against Cameroon (3-2), before dominating South Africa in the quarterfinals (2-1). A success whose score could have been much wider, as the Bafana Bafana suffered, for 90 minutes, the law of Nigerians who never really had to force their talent.

The Super Eagles will also be able to rely on another force that matters: that of habit. Three times winners, seven times finalists, Nigeria can boast of having reached the last four fifteen times in eighteen participations in the final phase. A regularity to make any other selection on the continent blush, including Algeria, featherweight in history with its only coronation in 1990 and its four halves.

Still, with this golden generation led by captain Mahrez, the Greens probably have a historic chance to once again put the name of Algeria on the list of winners of the African Cup of Nations. An opportunity that will have to continue to materialize on the ground, Sunday evening, at 9 p.m. local time, at the Cairo International Stadium.

• The bonus: the improbable hedge of honor from Algerian journalists to staff and players

#CAN2019 As promised, Algerian journalists 🇩🇿 gave coach Djamel Belmadi and the players a guard of honor the day after their qualification for the African Cup semi-finals… (video:@cedferreiraFor #F24) pic.twitter.com/yR0KyMAtg8

— Yabuco #Sorare (@y_bux) July 12, 2019

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