AFCON2019: Battle of the titans, who between Senegal and Algeria will blink first

Algeria and Senegal will face off at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo on Thursday evening, a match many believe will determine who tops group C at the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Egypt

Both teams won their opening games; Algeria whipped Kenya 2-0 on Sunday while Senegal defeated Tanzania by a similar score line on the same day and the two sides head into the match keen on taking over the leadership of the group.

The two teams have faced off seven times since 2000. Algeria registered three wins while Senegal managed two. The other two matches ended in stalemates and this makes Thursday’s encounter a mouth-watering one.

Senegal

The Lions of Teranga is the top ranked team in the continent at the moment. They blew away Tanzania on Sunday and heading into the game, many believe that they have an edge over the Desert Foxes.

The team has not lost a match in a year, the last time they tasted defeat was during the 2018 World Cup in Russia where they suffered defeat against South American nation, Colombia. They have managed to win seven of their eight matches ever since with the only blemish coming in the two-all draw against Madagascar.

Senegal will also welcome skipper Sadio Mane back. The Liverpool forward, who won the Champions League with the Reds early this month was suspended for the opener against Tanzania after accumulating cards during the qualifiers.

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Algeria

The Desert Foxes are no underdogs in African football. Against Kenya they had opportunities to score more goals but wastefulness in front of goal saw them settle for a 2-0 win over Sebastien Migne’s side.

Algeria boasts of a strong squad led by their captain Riyad Mahrez, Turkey based midfielder, Sofiane Feghouli, midfield dynamo, Ismael Bennacer and striker Baghdad Bounedjah. The four proved pivotal against Kenya on Sunday and they are players who could hurt Senegal.

The team is on a seven-match unbeaten run and they will be out to preserve that record when Senegal comes knocking on Thursday evening at the Air Defence Stadium in Cairo.

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Prediction

With both teams strong and in good form, this match is likely to end in a stalemate.

Lineups

Senegal 

Goalkeepers: Abdoulaye Diallo (Rennes, France), Alfred Gomis (Spal, Italy), Edouard Mendy (Reims, France)

Defenders: Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli, Italy), Moussa Wague (FC Barcelona, Spain), Pape Abdou Cisse (Olympiacos, Greece), Salif Sane (Schalke,Germany), Youssouf Sabaly (Bordeaux,France), Lamine Gassama (Goztepe, Turkey), Saliou Ciss (Valenciennes, France), Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, England)

Midfielders: Alfred Ndiaye (Malaga, Spain), Santy Ngom (Nancy, France), Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton, England), Keprin Diatta (Club Brugge, Belgium), Pape Alioune Ndiaye (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sidy Sarr (Lorient, France), Henri Saivet (Bursaspor, Turkey)

Forwards: Ismaila Sarr (Rennes, France), Keita Balde (Inter Milan, Italy), Mbye Niang (Rennes, France), Moussa Konate (Amiens, France), Mbaye Diagne (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sada Thioub (Nimes, France), Sadio Mane (Liverpool, England).

Algeria 

Goalkeepers:
Rais M’Bolhi (El Etifaq, KSA), Azzedine Doukha (Al Raed, KSA), Alexandre Oukidja (Metz FRA)

Defenders:
Aissa Mandi (Real Betis, SPA), Mehdi Zeffane (Rennes, FRA), Ramy Bensebaïni (Rennes, FRA), Rafik Halliche (Moreirense, POR), Mehdi Tahrat (Lens, FRA), Djamel Benlamri (Al Shabab, KSA), Youcef Atal (Nice, FRA), Mohamed Fares (SPAL, ITA)

Midfielders:
Haris Belkebla (Brest, FRA), Ismail Bennacer (Empoli, ITA), Mehdi Abeid (Dijon, FRA), Sofiane Feghouli (Galatasary, TUR), Adlene Guedioura (Nottingham, ENG), Hicham Boudaoui (PAC)

Forwards:
Adam Ounas (Naples, ITA), Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, ENG), Islam Slimani (Fenerbahce, TUR), Yacine Brahimi (Porto, POR), Baghdad Bounedjah (Al Sadd, QAT), Youcef Belaïli (Espérance Tunis TUN)

 

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