Desert Foxes need a miracle

STAR-STUDDED Algeria came to the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon as one of the title favourites, but the Desert Foxes need a miracle in Franceville today to reach the quarterfinals.

A team including African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez must defeat Group B winners Senegal, and hope fellow strugglers Zimbabwe beat Tunisia in Libreville in a simultaneous kick-off.

Those results would see Algeria and Zimbabwe sharing second place with four points each, leaving goal difference, goals scored or the drawing of lots to separate the sides.

Judged by the four matches so far in Franceville, however, victories for Algeria and Zimbabwe are unlikely as Senegal and Tunisia have been much more impressive. Senegal are assured of finishing first and staying in the southeastern Gabonese city for a quarterfinal against the Group A runners

Tunisia need only draw with Zimbabwe to seal second spot and secure a Libreville date with the Group A winners.

Belgium-born Algeria coach Georges Leekens accepts the former champions are facing a mammoth task.

“Senegal play good football and in an ideal world, we would have qualified before facing them. To be frank, this is going to be a very tough match for us to win. We dare not give away soft goals like we did against Tunisia,” said the handler who took Tunisia to the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals before quitting over a bonus dispute.

“Unfortunately, we no longer have our destiny in our own hands.”

An own-goal by captain Aissa Mandi and a suicidal back-header by fellow defender Faouzi Ghoulam led to the 2-1 defeat by neighbours Tunisia.

Senegal coach Aliou Cisse says he will not rest his firstchoices, even though the result is of academic interest to him with first place sewn up. “We intend fielding our strongest side,” he said.

“This fixture has the potential to be a thriller and all the players want to compete. I believe that football followers the length and breadth of Africa are looking forward to this match.”

A glance at the line-ups makes it clear why the finalround group game is so eagerly anticipated.

The Senegal attack includes Liverpool star Sadio Mane, third in the 2016 African Footballer of the Year poll, and Keita Balde of Lazio.

Mahrez’s Leicester teammate Islam Slimani and former BBC African Footballer of the Year Yacine Brahimi are some of the other stars in the formidable Algerian line-up. — AFP