The Algerian national team, known as the Greens, will face Senegal in the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN-2019) on Sunday, July 19, at 8:00 PM local time in Cairo. This match represents a significant opportunity for Algeria to claim their second continental title, 29 years after their first and only triumph in 1990. The team has had an impressive run in the tournament, with a strong performance that has captured the attention of fans and critics alike.
Algeria's journey to the final has been marked by determination and skill, with the team showcasing their abilities against top opponents. In their previous encounter with Senegal during the group stage, Algeria emerged victorious with a 1-0 win. However, Senegal, led by coach Aliou Cissé, is expected to be a formidable opponent, seeking to claim their first continental title and avenge their loss to Algeria earlier in the tournament.
The Senegalese team, ranked 22nd in the latest FIFA rankings, has been impressive in the tournament, with a strong squad featuring top players like Sadio Mané. However, they will be without their central defender Kalidou Koulibaly, who is suspended due to a yellow card accumulation. Algeria's coach, Djamel Belmadi, will have his full squad available, except for defender Youcef Atal, who is out with a clavicle injury.
The match is expected to be a closely contested encounter, with both teams having a strong chance of winning. Belmadi and Cissé, both experienced coaches, have a long-standing friendship, having grown up in the same neighborhood in France. Their tactical battle will be an intriguing aspect of the match, with both coaches seeking to outmaneuver each other.
Algeria's starting lineup is expected to remain unchanged from their previous match against Nigeria, with Mbolhi, Zeffane, Bensebaini, Mandi, Benlameri, Guedioura, Bennacer, Belaili, Feghouli, Mahrez, and Bounedjah likely to start. This lineup has been impressive throughout the tournament, and Belmadi is unlikely to make significant changes.
In a pre-match press conference, Belmadi emphasized his team's commitment to giving their all in the final. "I want to tell the Algerian people that I am not a politician, not a miracle worker, not a sorcerer, but we will fight as we have done until now," he said. "That's all I can promise. We will do our best."
The match will be a historic encounter for both teams, with Algeria seeking to claim their second continental title and Senegal aiming to win their first. The winner will be crowned the champion of Africa, and the match is expected to be a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Key points
- Algeria is seeking its second continental title, 29 years after its first win in 1990.
- Senegal is looking to claim its first continental title and avenge its loss to Algeria in the group stage.
- The match will feature a tactical battle between coaches Djamel Belmadi and Aliou Cissé, who have a long-standing friendship.
