Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
Algeria
Match Time & Date:
15/01/2024
03:00 PM
Prediction: 1-0
Angola
Algeria and Angola go head to head at Stade de la Paix in the closing match of Sunday’s program. The Desert Warriors are eyeing their third Africa Cup of Nations title and they are surely capable of going all the away at the tournament in Ivory Coast. A man to watch in the home team will be former Man City winger Riyad Mahrez, with both Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani making the cut as well.
Palancas Negras, on the other hand, have not recorded a win in competitive matches since July 2023, which is probably the main reason why we are going to place our bets on the nominal hosts. Pedro Goncalves doesn’t have too many high-profile players to choose from and, taking everything into account, home win should be considered. Keep in mind, though, that the two teams played out a goalless draw in their last meeting at the Africa Cup of Nations, back in 2010.
Highlighted Player (Youcef Atal):
The Boghni born Algerian started playing football at the age of ten when he joined CR Belouizdinad's youth academy in 2006. His decade long youth career saw him feature for other more Algerian teams before signing a professional contract with the last one, namely Paradou AC, in 2015.
Atal, who predominantly plays as a right-back, made his first professional appearance on the 9th of January 2016, playing in Paradou's 3-0 over CR Beni Thour in the Coupe d'Algerie. His performances during his 17/18 loan spell at Belgian Club Kortrijk earned him a move to France with OGC Nice in 2018.
At Nice, the 23-year-old has become a valuable first-team player and is on a five-year contract expiring in 2023. On the International stage, Atal has capped 14 times for Algeria, making his debut on the 6th of June, 2017, in a friendly against Guinea.
Highlighted Team (Algeria):
The Algeria national football team was established in 1962 as they were not allowed to play international games under French Rule. El Khadra (the Greens) or the Desert Warriors participated at the World Cup finals four times and they recorded their best result at the major tournament in 2014 (Brazil), making it to the last 16.
The Algerians were producing outstanding displays under Vahid Halilhodzic, but despite making life difficult for star-studded Germany in the knockout stages of the showpiece tournament, the African team eventually failed to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals. Algeria play their home games in white shirts and white shorts, while the colour of the team’s away kit is green.
The Desert Warriors impressed at the 1990 African Cup of Nations, with the team defeating Nigeria in the final of the tournament. It has to be noted, though, that Algeria hosted the tournament. The Algerians have been playing their home matches at Stade Mustapha Tchaker since 2006 and Stade 5 Juillet 1962 was regarded as the team’s home stadium before 2006.
