EPL stars Mahrez, Mane renew rivalry in faraway Cairo

CAIRO: Riyad Mahrez and Sadio Mane resume an English Premier League rivalry on a different stage when Algeria and Senegal clash at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt today.

Algerian winger Mahrez was part of the Manchester City team that pipped Senegalese forward Mane and his Liverpool teammates in a thrilling title race last season.

Now the stars swap the Etihad Stadium and Anfield grounds of their clubs for the 30 June Stadium in Cairo, and a Group C showdown likely to decide who tops the final standings.

While both countries seem sure to qualify for the round of 16, topping the table would theoretically offer less formidable opponents in the first knockout stage.

While supporters, the media and publicists focus on Mahrez and Mane, Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi is less happy with that situation.

“I am not in favour of highlighting individuals over teams,” said the former City midfielder. “We must put less emphasis on Riyad.”

Belmadi was much happier when recalling a winning start for his team with Baghdad Bounedjah and Mahrez scoring in a routine 2-0 victory over Kenya.

“Collecting maximum points from our first match meant a lot because Algeria have a history of poor starts at the Cup of Nations.”

Mane returns after a suspension ruled him out of the 2-0 win over Tanzania and coach Aliou Cisse says he is happy, particularly with the half-volley goal of 20-year-old Krepin Diatta.

“There’s no anti-Mahrez plan or similar for (Sofiane) Feghouli or (Yacine) Brahimi, they’re all good players,” said Cisse yesterday.

“We’re approaching this match trying to care of what we need to do. There’s nothing definitive riding on this match because there’s still another one after that against Kenya.”

Meanwhile, veteran Benin forward Mickael Pote scored after 104 seconds and again in the second half as 10-man Ghana were held to a 2-2 draw at the Ismailia Stadium on Tuesday.

Between the Pote goals, brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew netted in the opening half for Ghana, who had defender John Boye redcarded soon after half-time in Egyptian city Ismailia.

The last of the 12 first round games was also the most entertaining in the biennial tournament, which Egypt are staging after original hosts Cameroon fell behind with preparations.

Defending champions Cameroon scored twice within three minutes to beat GuineaBissau 2-0 earlier and they top the table with three points while Benin and Ghana have one each.