North African archrivals Algeria and Egypt play for a place in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations Thursday with six-time champions Egypt going all out not just to win a place that could put them nearer to a seventh title, but also avenge their defeat at the hands of Algeria last November that deprived them of a World Cup place next summer in South Africa. Algeria will be all out to prove that their decisive play-off win in Sudan was no fluke.
In the other semi-final Ghana meet Nigeria, but most eyes will be focussed on the North Africans’ clash. So much so that despite it being such an important clash, its significance has been played down and it seems that outside of Nigeria and Ghana, few people are giving the victors of this clash any chance in the final on Sunday.
There is an intense rivalry between the two African/Arab nations, which was reignited during their controversial pair of World Cup qualifiers in November.
Algeria suffered the humiliation of getting soundly beaten (3-0) by Malawi in their opening match. However, they bounced back by beating Mali and then got the draw they needed in their final group stage game against hosts Angola. After that they found their rhythm and outplayed pre-tournament favourites Ivory Coast in their quarter-final
They were most impressive in the last eight match as they managed to show the fighting spirit that fuelled their heroic World Cup qualifying campaign, and also their brand of highly technical football.
Egypt have been the most impressive team at this tournament thus far. But as they vie to become the first team to lift the Africa Cup of Nations trophy three times in succession, now find a familiar foe in their path.
The World Cup qualifiers between the two generated not only interest but also created problems, diplomatic as well as sporting. Hopefully, this time the two sides wont’ let their emotions get the better of them and make a concerted effort to remain concentrated on winning the game instead of focusing on who they are playing against.
In the meantime, Algeria hope that both goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi and Karim Ziani are fit to face the Egyptians. Ziani missed a day’s training to have a thigh injury inspected, while Chaouchi also missed a session in order to completely recover from the back problems he suffered against Ivory Coast.
While Egypt have reported a clean bill of health, a lot of importance is being attached to two players in particular, Algeria’s Karim Ziani whose contribution both in the match against Ivory Coast and the World Cup preliminary round play-off against Egypt two months ago cannot be overlooked, and Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan who celebrated his 170th appearance in an international shirt in style against Cameroon.
Ghana – Nigeria preview
An even more balanced tie could be the semi-final clash between Ghana and Nigeria. It will be between a very experienced side, Nigeria, and a young but talented Ghana team that has managed to surmount its pre-tournament and current injury problems to their stars to find a place so close to a fifth title victory.
The odds may favour Nigeria, but Ghana are cautiously optimistic about their chances against their West African rivals.
Nigeria find themselves at this stage despite lack-lustre performances, notably in the quarter-final against Zambia whom they beat in a penalty shoot-out. However, it is also a fact that the Super Eagles’ performance cannot be judged based on their game against Zambia.
They have the players who are able to raise their game and it would be a mistake for anyone to conclude that they will have another bad match.
Ghana have been boosted by the news that midfielder Anthony Annan may have completely recovered from a thigh injury and would be in the team.
