Our prediction for this Africa Cup of Nations 2024 match:
Ivory Coast
Match Time & Date:
20/01/2022
17:00
Prediction: 1-2
Algeria
All eyes will be on Japoma Stadium when Ivory Coast and Algeria go head to head in the last group game. The Elephants kicked off their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea, with the team dropping two points in a 2-2 with Sierra Leone in their second group match following Badra Ali Sangare’s terrible error. Ivory Coast are one point away from booking their place in the playoffs, but they will have a mountain to climb in the decider.
Algeria have been performing below expectations at the showpiece tournament in Cameroon, but Riyad Mahrez and Co. should not be written off just yet. Since Ivory Coast boss Patrice Beaumelle struggles with goalkeepers, we are tempted to put our money on the Desert Warriors, who are desperate to make amends for a shocking loss to Equatorial Guinea. Yacine Brahimi is widely expected to return to Algeria’s starting XI.
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.
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