YAOUNDE – Egypt will go head to head with Nigeria in a Group D match of the African Cup of Nations at the Roumde Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Tuesday at 6:00pm Cairo Local Time.
While, Algeria will open the defence of their AFCON title when they face Sierra Leone in a Group E match at the Japoma Stadium in Douala on Tuesday at 3:00pm Cairo Local Time.
Egypt and Nigeria set for heavyweight bout
Egypt and Nigeria will have a heavyweight bout in Group D at the African Cup of Nations 2021 when they meet in Garoua Tuesday.
Egypt is the AFCON’s most successful nation, with a record seven titles to their name (the most recent in 2010). They were runners-up as recently as 2017, while their run as hosts in the last tournament in 2019 ended in disappointment with a round of 16 exit.
This time around the Pharaohs are hopeful that coach Carlos Queiroz can harness the undoubted quality at their disposal – including arguably the best player in the world this season in Mohamed Salah – as they chase an eighth continental crown.
“I believe that these 25 players will be able to build a strong and cohesive team that plays good football and is able to win and fight for it and has a strong mentality,” said Egypt’s Portuguese coach.
“This tournament is very strong. We need players who are ready to perform whenever we need them.”
In head-to-head stats, Egypt and Nigeria have met in 18 matches across all competitions since 1960, with the Super Eagles claiming eight wins compared to five for the Pharaohs, while five games have been drawn.
The teams last met in an international friendly in March 2019 in Asaba, with Nigeria claiming a 1-0 home win thanks to an early goal from Paul Onuachu.
Nigeria is three-time AFCON champions (most recently in 2013) and finished third in the last tournament in 2019.
Another serious challenge for the title will be expected from the West African powerhouses, even though they come into the AFCON with an interim coach in the shape of Augustine Eguavoen (who replaced long-time manager Gernot Rohr at the back end of 2021).
Nonetheless, the Super Eagles have the quality and experience to challenge for the title in Cameroon, with Eguavoen determined to make the most of his time in charge (he will be replaced by new permanent appointment Jose Peseiro after the tournament).
“We have to face reality, nobody cares to hear excuses,” said Eguavoen. “We have to tell the players where we are now and where we want to be at the end of AFCON. The federation has a goal, the country has a goal, as players and individuals we also have goals.”
Algeria clashes with Sierra Leone
Algeria will open the defence of their African Cup of Nations title when they face Sierra Leone in a Group E match Tuesday.
Algeria claimed their second Afcon title at the last edition of the continental tournament, defeating Senegal 1-0 in the final in Egypt to add to their maiden Nations Cup triumph from 1990.
The Fennec Foxes have kept much of the same unit which claimed continental glory two and a half years ago, including coach Djamel Belmadi and star players such as Riyad Mahrez and Ismael Bennacer.
They are also on a remarkable unbeaten run which stretches back 34 official matches, including a crushing 3-0 win over Ghana in a warm-up clash last week – just three short of the world record set by Italy earlier this year.
“[Belmadi] has allowed us to become what we are today: a family, a real one,” said striker Islam Slimani, who netted the third goal in the win over the Black Stars and looks in ominous form coming into the AFCON.
Sierra Leone are returning to the AFCON for the first time since back-to-back appearances in 1994 and 1996. Breaking a 26-year absence from the continental tournament was a major achievement for coach John Keister and his team.
However, the Manchester-born tactician has revealed that he received death threats in regards to his squad selection, as the Leone Stars headed to the Afcon under something of a cloud.
“I think it’s very, very sad that it has to come to this,” Keister explained. “Whatever walk of life you are in, nobody deserves that.”
Keister added: “I don’t think it should get to that point where my life is being threatened because people feel players should be in [the squad].”
In head-to-head stats, Algeria and Sierra Leone have met in five matches across all competitions since 1980. The Fennec Foxes have claimed two wins compared to one for the Leone Stars, while two games have been drawn.
The teams last met in an AFCON group stage match in Bloemfontein way back in 1996, with Algeria winning 2-0 thanks to a brace from Ali Macabih.
Tuesday’s Fixtures
3:00pm Algeria vs Sierra Leone
6:00pm Egypt vs Nigeria
9:00pm Sudan vs Guinea-Bissau
