Desert Foxes of Algeria forward Youcef Belaili (No. 8, pictured above in goal celebration), says the side is determined to advance to the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations at the expense of Nigeria, Completesports.com reports.
Djamel Belmadi’s men will face the Super Eagles in the semi-final encounter tonight (Sunday) at the Cairo International Stadium, from 8pm Nigerian time.
Esperance of Tunisia striker, Belaili, further states that the players are looking to make their fans proud by winning the game.
“We have reached the semifinals and hope to do our best to go to the final and make our people happy,” Belaili told reporters in Cairo.
“When you arrive in the semifinals, you do not think about whether the opponent is a great team or not. You seek to face the best. We are determined to win and to go to the final.”
Algeria were stressed for long period in their quarterfinal win against the Elephants of Cote d’l voire, needing penalty shootout to beat the West Africans after 120 minutes of energy sapping football action ended 1-1.
The Super Eagles who defeated South Africa 2-1 in the quarterfinal also enjoyed a day rest than the Algerians.
Belaili admits that the number of days available for a team to rest could play a key role in the game, but says his team has recovered enough.
“Of course, it will affect the game, but we recovered well with the help of the medical staff,” he stated.
By Adeboye Amosu in Cairo
6 Comments
We are ready to hand you guys y’all first major defeat too in the tournament . So bring it on then! Nigeria all the way. Period!
Yes you guys are good but rest assured that the Eagles have a psychology advantage against your team , plays us the way you played other teams and you will not know what hits you !!..To beat this determined Eagles by any team now will take a lot !!..Eagles is carrying the day by 3 goals to 1.2 goals in the first half and 3 -1 at the end of the regulations time!!
You are ready for the beating of your lives. Super eagles are on fire!
If Una like, make una dy dive like people wey dy swim for Lagos lagoon, the story will be different at the end of the day. We don’t talk too much but do our talking on the field. Up rohr, up super eagles.
I know Eagles will score first but the philosophy of the coach towards the usage of its substitutions is very bad!!! After hard fought of scoring in the first half, the coach always waited for equalizer before it’s first substitution, and I don’t why he let signal to always play 90 minutes football, he should let ighalo to know that he will be playing for 60 minutes after which Osimhen comes in. This coach should make use of his substitution and not come back home unused. Best of luck Eagles, win Algeria win the cup. My humble submission
Algeria has one of the best team.they play soccer not physical like other african team.If the league assign an english referree team àlgeria will go all the way.Referree is 30 percent.
The africans have not master the chess like game of soccer.Attal mehraz explosif duo smart have to deal violent oposition .Too bad.good luck algeria.Great coach and strategie.