Saturday, February 4
*Algeria Vs Senegal – 10pm
Senegal will be hoping to stun hosts Algeria to win this year’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
Both sides are playing the final for the first time in history, and this means that a new champion will be crowned.
Former champions Morocco withdrew, Tunisia still on a ban while Libya and DR Congo were eliminated from the group stage.
Senegal are seeking to become double champions of Africa having won the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, and its strong to note that they won the Beach Soccer AFCON last year.
“I have the deep conviction that we will do everything to win this match. The kids are very motivated. The best team will win this CHAN. I tell you, right in the eyes, we will not let this trophy escape us,” saidd Senegal coach Papa Thiaw
“We know the stadium will be against us. It is normal.Danger can come from any of them. They (Algeria) returned from Oran with confidence after a 5-0 win against Niger.”
Senegal have only lost once in this tournament, a 2-1 loss against Uganda Cranes in the group stages.
They beat Mauritania 1-0 and Madagascar by the same score at quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
And they will be hoping to take their revenge having lost to Algeria in 2019 AFCON final.
Algeria have been unscathed, and are yet to concede a goal in this tournament.
They were perfect in their run out of the group stage, topping Group A with six points after 1-0 wins over Libya, Ethiopia and Mozambique.
They eliminated Ivory Coast (1-0) at the quarters before hammering Niger 5-0.
Coach Madjid Bougherra has one selection headache going into this final – First choice goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz back from red card suspension and it remains to be seen if he can start ahead of Farid Chaal who impressed in the Niger game.
Thank God, we reached the final. That was our first goal from the start. We will try to win it. We want to win the game in 90 minutes,” Bougherra said.
“There are only 90 minutes left to kiss the trophy. Nothing compares to when our people rejoice. We have regained our physical fitness and rested after the semi-final match.”
