Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Algeria will look to cement top position in Group G when they take on Guinea at Nelson Mandela Stadium on Thursday evening. The Desert Warriors were scoring goals for fun in March and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. Former Man City ace Riyad Mahrez has been omitted, but all Ismael Bennacer, Nabil Bentaleb, Houssem Aouar, Said Benrahma, and Aissa Mandi made the cut.
The Syli National, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in friendly games against Vanuatu (6-0) and Bermuda (5-1), but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Algeria, who are a real force to be reckoned with at home. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Serhou Guirassy, who scored 28 goals in 28 appearances for Stuttgart in the 2023/2024 Bundesliga campaign. When the two teams met in a friendly two years ago Algeria defeated Guinea 1-0.
Highlighted Player (Yacine Brahimi):
French-born Algerian attacking midfielder Yacine Brahimi is a technically gifted footballer, who can also fill in at winger position. The 26-year-old midfielder started his career as a proper footballing nomad, going through various clubs’ youth ranks before settling at Rennes. French Ligue 1 side gave Brahimi his professional debut in 2009.
After spells at Clermont and Granada which resulted in Brahimi’s sale to the Spanish outfit, Brahimi moved to Porto where he achieved his full international recognition. The Algerian midfielder settled immediately and was exceptional in his first six months at the Portuguese club. His mesmerizing dribbling skills and creative abilities have quickly made his one of Porto’s key men in the centre of the park. Consistent performances and thrilling displays have earned Yacini Brahimi picked up the African Footballer of the Year for 2014.
The fabulously gifted player has been turning heads across Europe with top clubs from the continent lining up behind him. At 26 years of age Brahimi still has plenty of time in front of him and is expected to reach further heights with his club in the Champions League.
Highlighted Team (Guinea):
Nicknamed the National Elephants, Guinea national team are affiliated to the Guinea Football Federation. Guinea qualified for their 12th Africa Cup of Nations and they will face the likes of Nigeria, Madagascar and Burundi in the group stages of the tournament in Egypt.
The National Elephants have yet to win the Africa Cup of Nations, but they were on the verge of going all the way at the tournament in Ethiopia back in 1976. Guinea finished the final round in second place in the standings, only one point behind champions Morocco.
The National Elephants wear red socks, yellow shorts and green socks when welcoming their rivals, whilst their away colours are yellow and red. Guinea suffered a 2-1 loss to Togo in their first international game (May, 1962). The African side recorded their biggest win against Mauritania (14-0) on May, 1972), whilst a 6-0 loss to Zaire (July, 1972) is considered the biggest defeat in the history of the national team.