Algeria and Senegal are two of the teams at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations showdown that seem to have started as brightly as most of their fans expected. However, if one were to analyze things with a discerning eye, their sensational opening match victories should not fuel expectations beyond reasonable levels.
Senegal were the first to get off the mark, recording a 2-1 victory over tournament favorites Ghana. The three points garnered on the day were more than three points – it was an ego-lifting victory over one of their sternest rivals at AFCON, and one that gave them belief that 2015 could be their year.
That being said, are we supposed to ignore the facts that Ghana went ahead and controlled the game for long spells, that the Black Stars were missing their brightest star Asamoah Gyan, and that Senegal’s winner was scored in what was literally the last second of the game?
It is a similar case for the Algerians, who recorded the most flattering score line of CAN 2015 so far by beating South Africa 3-1. Bafana Bafana went ahead and had the chance to double their lead through a penalty. Could things have been different if Tokelo Rantie had buried his spot kick?
These factors are the small kinks in the otherwise promising fortunes of both teams in Equatorial Guinea. Given that Algeria’s and Senegal’s starts at the tournament, despite all their glitter, are not the most commanding, most convincing performances, both team’s coaches must look to organize their teams in such a way that as little as possible errors will be made.
More importantly, each team must be ready to clinically punish any errors committed by their opposite numbers.
Algeria Starting 11: Rais Mbolhi - Faouzi Ghoulam, Carl Medjani, Madjid Bougherra, Aissa Mandi - Nabil Bentaleb, Saphir Taider, Riyad Mahrez, Sofiane Feghouli, Yacine Brahimi, Hilal Soudani
Senegal Starting 11: Coundoul, Gassama, Mbodji, Sané, M'Bengue, 'Diaye, Gueye, Diop, Sadio Mané, Sow, Mame Diouf
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