2019 African Cup of Nations FinalAlgeria and Senegal Eyeing Glory at African Cup of Nations
Senegal and Algeria will face in Cairo for the 2019 African Cup Finals. Both teams faced in group stage and Algeria beat Senegal 1-0. This rematch is very anticipated to determine which country will succeed to Cameroon.
Algeria will aim at adding a second African Cup title after 1990 victory. Senegal never won the continental tournament and reached the Final in 2002 [lost to Cameroon in penalties].
Great nations and football in general displayed
There were some great teams in the tournament with Tunisia and Nigeria going out at the semifinal round while Egypt and Morocco disappointed with an early exist. Teams like Madagascar and Congo impressed as well during the successful tournament hosted in Egypt.
Algeria are confident before the Final having beating Senegal in the group stage as the Fennec try to write their own history
Man City and Algeria international’s Mahrez speak about reaching the Final:
“We are so happy to be in the final because it is something unbelievable. It is a great feeling. It was a very tough game and it looked like it would go into extra time after they had the penalty from the VAR. But we got this free-kick and I was determined to score.
We have been very good in this tournament. We have scored 12 goals and conceded only two but definitely this game has given us more confidence to play the final. We are capable of winning it”.
Senegal’s coach Cisse was part of the 2002 campaign when his country finished runners-up to Cameroon. He believes this generation is better than his and looks forward to adding Senegal onto the Cup’s winner list.
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse on Senegal reaching the Final:
“I am proud to be one of the local coaches here and one who can write history for Senegalese football. Only a few years ago, there were only four local coaches at AFCON; in 2019 we are 14.
This is only beneficial to African football’s continued growth. Our philosophy is to take a game at a time and try to play the best football to erase the disappointment of 2002.
It’s a dream to win the AFCON title not only for Cissé but for all the Senegalese people. We are two steps away from realizing this dream that we could not achieve in 2002.”
