Algeria have ambitiously thrown in everything possible in their quest to edge out Nigeria’s Super Eagles in tonight’s AFCON 2019 semifinal match at the Cairo International Stadium, Completesports.com reports.
The Algerian camp, especially the nation’s football ruling body, La Federation Algerienne de football (FAF) has been ruffled by the fact that the Super Eagles have enjoyed more support from Egyptian fans since the exit of the Pharaohs.
Completesports.com garthered from reports in the Algerian media that the relevant authorities cleverly worked in tandem in the last few days to mobilize support and got a large number of fans flown to Cairo in time to ensure that the Djamel Belmadi’s men do not lack enough love against Nigeria inside the Cairo International Stadium.
According to reports, 10 aircrafts carrying the Desert Foxes’ fans left three Algerian cities; Algiers, Oran and Constantine Saturday night and landed in Cairo in the early hours of Sunday.
Algeria are looking to win their second Africa Cup of Nations title in Egypt. They won it as hosts in 1990 when they pipped Nigeria 1-0 in the final after earlier thrashing the Clemens Westerhof’s team 5-1 in the group stage. Remarkably, Nigeria had denied them in 1980 when Christian Chukwu and company won 3-0 to lift Nigeria’s first ever AFCON title.
The Algerian contingent know that they have a very good team in Egypt which has scorched a red trail on their way to the semifinals, winning all their five games, scoring 10 goals and conceding only one in open play. Certainly the best record, going into the semifinals.
However, despite their outstanding run so far in the competition and the title favourites tag they get from most quarters, the Algerian camp truly feel threatened by the Super Eagles’ posture in the semifinals.
Head-to-head history against Nigeria seems disarming to the Algerians. It has been reviewed quite extensively in their local media.
An all-time head-to-head record shows that Nigeria’s Super Eagles are ahead of Algeria, having won nine of their past 19 encounters. Algeria won seven, while three ended in draw.
The last time Algeria and Nigeria faced each other in the AFCON finals was in Angola 2010 edition. The Super Eagles won their Third-Place match 1-0.
The very last time the Super Eagles and the Desert Foxes clashed, in all competitions, was in a 2018 World Cup qualifying fixure. The Eagles were forced to a 1-1 draw in Algeria, after winning the reverse fixture 3-1 at home.
Tonight’s AFCON 2019 semifinal between the two sides will kick off at 8pm.Nigerian time.
By Nnamdi Ezekute
9 Comments
Lol,10 aircrafts!.No wahala,u can bring the whole country if u like.
Exactly lolz
come guys, aircraft or no aircraft..ur eaglets were shredded by the wily foxes!
If they like make it 50 aircraft
Crowd don’t play balls only to watch 90 mins decide the game
Why not the whole nation relocate to Egypt. What ever happen Nigeria will come out victorious. I don’t care what they are doing.
Hmmmm, I have nothing to say about this but let us know that what will be will be…..
Algeria is not our problem … but I just afraid of the “snake” showing it’s head in this very important match !!
Currently watching the Tunisia vs Senegal Match …and something wierd just strike my thoughts after that harsh penalty decision on Senegal!!
This tournament is taking place in Egypt …and I have already seen the officiating between Tunisia vs Senegal …and oh my…there is some level of biase and “favouritism” here !!
We defeated South Africa after they knocked out Egypt from the tournament but their fans never raise a song or show a little
Appreciation support when we were playing Bafana Bafana !!
Madagascar was a tournament fairytale nation but never got that accolades while starring in Egypt but as soon as they got knocked out by “their inlaw or brothers”; you could see the sign of joy in their various news media that “CAF latest Cinderella” has gone home !!!
Haba CAF … must we do like “FIFA” in our own African tournament??? Must the officiating favours a particular nation because of their location and origin against another ???
Abeg MY SUPER EAGLES PLAYERS …. against Algeria…just know you are playing against the Algerians, the officiating team and even against majority of the crowd in the stadium … e ready for their antics and try to play it out, clean tackles and 110% focus on the entire duration of the game !!!
Believe in your team mates, play to your strengths and bury your chances when you get one!!!
The God, we serve will be with us as always !!
God no Dey sleep !
Success Super Eagles !
God bless Nigeria !!!
Egypt has over 80000 supporters on display when they tackled South Africa , which is equivalent to over 1200 loaded Super air craft , yet they were systematically beaten by South Africa !!..Eagles have nothing to fear , we are behind them , let them play with out fear or intimidation and work for one another and surely victory will be ours !!
Sorry guys, Algeria did teach the eagles a lesson tonight. Have a good night fellow Africans.