• About Us
  • Privacy Policy
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Citi Sports Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021
No Result
View All Result
Citi Sports Online
No Result
View All Result

#AFCONonCiti: Algeria, Senegal face off in Friday’s final

Nathan Quao by Nathan Quao
July 18, 2019
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Whatsapp

After almost a month of football in Egypt, Algeria and Senegal will compete for the continent’s biggest prize in football. Citi Sports pundit, Wepea Buntugu, previews the match which will mean a whole lot to both Senegal and Algeria.

 

And then there were two.

The blazing fire of Africa’s continental showpiece has brought out the duo that will battle for the top prize.

Both led by indigenous tacticians, the Teranga Lions of Senegal and the Desert Foxes of Algeria have come through very different routes to final.

Routes that are singularly similar in their challenging nature and have ensured that Egypt and the whole world will get to see two battle-hardened and quality sides in the ultimate match up at the Cairo International stadium on Friday.

Aliou Cisse who captained the Senegal national team at the Teranga Lions’ last appearance at the AFCON final, missing the decisive penalty kick and gifting the trophy to the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.

Re-appearing at Africa’s most important game, Cisse will be determined to wipe the slate clean and deliver a first-ever AFCON trophy for Senegal.

“Our philosophy is to take it a game at a time and try to play the best football to erase the disappointment of 2002,” Cissé said.

He has been in charge since 2015 and has weathered disappointment in 2017 as Cameroon’s Indomitable Lions once again came out victorious in a penalty-shootout sending Senegal home early, as well as a mightily unlucky World Cup elimination by a fair play tiebreaker. Few will begrudge him the final step.

However, empathy is the last emotion El Khadra of Algeria will be feeling towards Senegal as they go into an AFCON final for the first time in 29 years.

The Desert Foxes will be hoping to assuage the thirst of Algerians for the AFCON crown and are tipped by many to get the better of Senegal on Friday. Having scored the most goals at the tournament (11) and conceding just two they are justified favourites.

Algeria seems to have come full circle in the semi-final tie against Nigeria. Just a year ago, the Desert Foxes lost 3-1 to Nigeria in qualification for the World Cup in Russia.

A supremely talented but very disjointed Algerian side that went on to finish last in their group has come a long way led on this rebuilding journey by one who previously donned the Algeria jersey, Djamel Belmadi.

Senegal will feel the absence of Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly as he received a harsh yellow card in the semi-final game against Tunisia.

A very inexperienced Senegalese centre-back pairing will be looking to try and contain the vast attacking talents Algeria possess in Riyad Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah and Youcef Belaili, as well as prolific substitute Adam Ounas.

Senegal have many potent weapons of their own and will look to Sadio Mane, Ismaila Sarr, Idrissa Gueye and Keita Balde to provide the goods against Algeria.

Another dimension to this final is the penalty shootout. Should this final go down to a shootout, hearts will be in mouths for supporters back in Dakar as Senegal have already missed three penalties in normal time with Sadio Mane and Henri Saivet both fluffing their lines from twelve yards in this tournament.

Algeria on the other hand have won a shootout against la Cote D’Ivoire, converting 4 of their spot kicks. This shows that one team will be more inclined to end the game in a maximum of 120 minutes to prevent the lottery of penalty kicks.

Algeria and Senegal have already met once in the group stages with Algeria running out as 1 – nil winners thanks to a Youcef Belaili strike.

It was a bruising encounter as a total of 53 fouls were committed in a very tight encounter where Sadio Mane struck the bar but could not salvage a point for his side. Will it be a case of revenge or repeat for the Teranga Lions?

It will be a battle of the ages and both teams know exactly what it means to make it this far.

For Senegal and Aliou Cisse it is a matter of righting the wrongs of previous campaigns and finally travelling back to Dakar amid celebration.

For Algeria and Djamel Belmadi it is a matter of completing a rapid revolution and bringing back the glory days of 1990.

Team news

Both sides are clear of injury heading into the final but Senegal will have to cope without defensive colossus Kalidou Koulibaly, who is suspended. FC Schalke’s Salif Sane is likely to step in to fill the void.

Senegal predicted XI: Gomis; Gassama, Kouyate, Sane, Sabaly; Saivet, Ndiaye, Gueye; Sarr, Niang, Mane

Algeria predicted XI: M’bolhi; Zeffane, Mandi, Benlamri, Bensebaini; Guedioura, Bennacer, Feghouli; Mahrez, Bounedjah, Belaili

Statistics

  • Algeria has won their last five matches against Senegal. A run that stretches back to September 2008.
  • Senegal’s last victory against Algeria came at home in May 2008 as Lamine N’diaye got the only goal of the tie.
  • Senegal’s Sadio Mane has scored 3 goals and given 1 assist in 6 games this AFCON.
  • Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez has scored three goals including a last-gasp freekick that took Algeria to the final.

 

 

 

Follow the writer on Twitter @Wepea_Buntugu

 

ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

#Donkomi: Juventus completes the transfer of Mathijs de Ligt

Next Post

#AFCONonCiti: John Obi Mikel retires from international football

Related Posts

News

FIFA World Cup: 1.8 Million tickets sold so far

June 29, 2022
News

Serie A: FIGC to introduce title playoff

June 29, 2022
Football

Ibrahim Tanko appointed Black Meteors head coach

June 29, 2022
Black Stars

2022 World Cup: Sports Minister inaugurates 5-member committee to raise funds

June 29, 2022
Ogbo Okoronkwo (left), Uchenna Nwosu(right) at an autograph session at the National Football League NFL fan zone event at the Kempinski Hotel on Sunday, June 26, 2022, in Ghana. (Nipah Dennis/AP Images for NFL)
News

NFL: Fan Zone event held in Accra

June 29, 2022
Football

GFA invites Ashgold’s Albert Commey for suggesting Hearts of Oak match, others were fixed

June 28, 2022
Football

Kofi Kyereh anticipating Europa League football with Freiburg

June 28, 2022
Football

‘Afriyie Barnieh plays like me in my prime’ – Ex-Hearts of Oak star Charles Taylor

June 28, 2022
Load More
Next Post

#AFCONonCiti: John Obi Mikel retires from international football

Top Stories

Emmanuel Adebayor wins $510k Fifa ruling over ‘unfair sacking’

Otto Addo explains why local players did not play for Black Stars against Madagascar

Otto Addo explains why he played Gideon Mensah at centre-back

Watch Mohammed Kudus’ fantastic goal against Central African Republic [VIDEO]

RSS Citi Podcasts

  • Eyewitness News, Tuesday, 28th June, 2022 June 28, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Tuesday, 28th June, 2022 June 28, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Eyewitness News, Monday, 27th June, 2022 June 28, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Sports Panorama, Friday, 24th June, 2022 June 24, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Eyewitness News, Friday, 24th June, 2022 June 24, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Citi Breakfast Show, Friday, 24th June, 2022 June 24, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • The Big Issue, Saturday, 18th June, 2022 June 18, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Famlife, Saturday, 18th June, 2022 June 18, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Sports Panorama, Friday, 17th June, 2022 June 18, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
  • Eyewitness News, Friday, 17th June, 2022 June 17, 2022 Citi 97.3 FM
Citi Sports Online

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

  • Home
  • News
  • Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Local Football
  • Ghana Premier League
  • Livescores
  • Sports Panorama
  • Videos
  • AFCON 2021

© 2019 Citi Sports Online

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
Citi Sports Cookie Policy
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT