West and North Africa’s powerhouses in thriller

Cairo- Algeria Desert Foxes and Nigeria Super Eagles clash in the second semi-final at the Cairo International Stadium tonight.
The final could potentially be an all-West African or all North African affair. It could also be a battle between the West and North – Africa’s perennial football power blocs.

The Algeria against Nigeria clash is littered with history. Algeria’s only African title in 1990 was at the expense of Nigeria whom they beat 1-0 in Algiers while the Super Eagles’ first continental title was when they crushed the North Africans 3-0 in Lagos. Since then the Super Eagles have added two more titles in 1994 and 2013.

Unbeaten Algerians
Djamel Belmadi’s team are still unbeaten, top scorers in the tournament with 10 goals while conceding one. Until the 62nd minute, when Ivorian striker Jonathan Kodjia equalised in the quarterfinals, Algerian keeper Rais M’Bolhi had no let in a goal for 422 minutes. However, Belmadi could be without two of his key players today.

Midfielder Sofiane Feghouli and defender Youcef Atal both limped off on Thursday against the Elephants.
But the tactician is happy that his scoring trio of Riyad Mahrez, Youcef Belaili and Adam Ounas, who have scored a total of seven goals, are fit and raring to go.

Selection headache
Super Eagles German coach Gernot Rohr has a selection dilemma.
He is spoilt between bringing back his captain John Obi Mikel or retain Peter Etebo, who has shined in midfield alongside Wilfried Ndidi thus far in the past two matches against Cameroon and South Africa. Eagles won both matches.

Striker Samuel Chukwueze is likely to retain his place following his man of the match performance against South Africa on Wednesday. The Villarreal youngster, became Afcon’s youngest goal scorer at 20 years, against Bafana Bafana.

The winner will meet either Teranga Lions of Senegal or the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, who play earlier in the first semi-final at the 30th June Stadium.

Senegal is the only team yet to taste Afcon glory amongst the quartet and will be desperate to overcome Tunisia, champions in 2004, with a better head-to-head record.

Key Statistics
*Algeria are the top scorers in the tournament with 10 goals and have conceded only one.
*Algeria’s only Africa title came in 1990 when they beat Nigeria 1-0 in the final.
*Algeria are unbeaten in their last five matches at the Africa Cup of Nations.
*Nigeria won the first of three Africa titles in 1980 after beating Algeria 3-0 in the final.
* Nigeria have scored seven goals and let in five in the tournament so far.

Today’s fixtures - Semifinals
Senegal vs. Tunisia
(LIVE SS7, 7pm)
Algeria vs. Nigeria
(LIVE SS7, 10pm)
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Algeria 7 wins
Draws 3
Nigeria 9 wins
Last meetings - AFCON
22 Mar 1980: Nigeria 3-0 Algeria
10 Mar 1982: Nigeria 1-2 Algeria
11 Mar 1984: Nigeria 0-0 Algeria
23 Mar 1988: Nigeria 1-1 Algeria
02 Mar 1990: Algeria 5-1 Nigeria
16 Mar 1990: Algeria 1-0 Nigeria
21 Jan 2002: Algeria 0-1 Nigeria
30 Jan 2010: Nigeria 1-0 Algeria

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