AFCON. Belmadi joy at local coaches contesting final

An indigenous African coach will for the first time since 2013 lift the continent’s biggest soccer showpiece when Algeria and Senegal face off in the 2019 Nations Cup final at Cairo International Stadium on Friday.
Algeria saw off Nigeria, and Senegal - Tunisia, on Sunday to set up a befitting final between the tournament’s best footballing sides. The feat for both teams saw them set up a first all-African coaches final in recent memory, with Djamel Belmadi of Algeria and Senegal’s Aliou Cisse going head to head on the touch line.
Belmadi, after watching Riyad Marez’s last gasp free kick break Nigerians hearts and hand Algeria a final slot, hoped local FA presidents were watching as well.

Friendly foes
“It’s a great message that we have sent to those responsible for football in all countries in Africa, it’s amazing,” Belmadi told the media after the seeing off a Nigerian side coached by German Gernot Rohr. He was also happy the final was lining him up against his friend. “I’ve known Cisse for a very long time. We used to play against each other when we were both in France. “The only difference between us is that he’s been with his team for four years and I have been here for one.
“So to play this final against Senegal, against my friend, is amazing. I hope the decision-makers can think more about this and put trust in our young coaches,” added Belmadi at a time Uganda are looking for a new coach to replace Frenchman Sebastien Desabre. Both Cisse and Belmadi were captains for their countries at the 2004 Nations Cup, which was won by Tunisia. Cisse was also captain for Senegal in the 2002 edition.
The late Steven Keshi is the last indigenous African coach to win the Nations Cup, then with his native Nigeria in 2013. The last Nations Cup title was won by Belgian Hugo Broos with Cameroon at Gabon 2017.