Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
Algeria
Match Time & Date:
11/01/2022
05:00 AM
Prediction: 2-0
Sierra Leone
Algeria and Sierra Leone face each other in a David-vs-Goliath clash at Japoma Stadium. The reigning champions are seen as one of the main favourites to win the AFCON 2021, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. The likes of Riyad Mahrez (Man City), Ismael Bennacer (Milan), and Said Benrahma of West Ham United will be the men to watch in the home team.
Sierra Leone, on the other hand, are eager to impress in their first Africa Cup of Nations game since 1996. The Leone Stars are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in Tuesday’s clash, but given Algeria’s attacking potential, the underdogs are unlikely to keep a clean sheet at Japoma Stadium. This will be the first meeting between the two national teams since January 1996 when Algeria defeated Sierra Leone 2-0 in the Africa Cup of Nations.
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 ():
