Algeria must buck trend to retain title

RIYAD Mahrez-captained Algeria are favourites to win back-to-back titles when a twice-delayed Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finally kicks off in Cameroon on Sunday.

The Desert Foxes are unbeaten in 33 matches – a record for an African national team – with the run having begun with a 4-1 away triumph over Togo in November 2018.

To succeed again, however, Algeria will have to buck a trend as the last five champions failed to defend the title, with none advancing further than the round of 16.

The group winners and runners-up are assured of last-16 places, while the best four thirdplaced teams from the six groups also qualify.

Here, we put the spotlight on the Group E contenders ...

ALGERIA

Coach Djamel Belmadi has kept faith in the 2019 Afcon-winning team, with nine of those who started in the 1-0 final victory over Senegal heading to Cameroon.

While the 45-year-old, France-born manager has been criticised for being too loyal to those who conquered Africa, a record of 24 victories and nine draws, and 83 goals scored, speaks for itself.

Algeria are particularly powerful on the wings, deploying not only Manchester City star Mahrez, but also clubless Youcef Belaili.

IVORY COAST

Elephants coach Patrice Beaumelle has chosen five Premier League stars – defenders Eric Bailly and Willy Boly, and forwards Maxwel Cornet, Nicolas Pepe and Wilfred Zaha.

But it is former West Ham forward Sebastien Haller, now at Ajax, who may emerge as the key figure for the two-time champions. He scored for the Dutch club in all six Uefa Champions League group matches this season, matching a record set by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2017.

EQUATORIAL GUINEA

The National Thunder qualified for a first time with the 2012 and 2015 appearances, due to them being co-hosts with Gabon in the first instance, then solo hosts.

They exceeded expectations in both tournaments, reaching the quarterfinals and semi-finals, but it is difficult to imagine the central Africans getting to the last eight in Cameroon.

Guinea has strong links with Spain, so it’s no surprise that 16 of their 28 players were born there, including 32-year-old captain and forward Emilio Nsue.

SIERRA LEONE

Manchester-born John Keister coaches a country that is back at the flagship African tournament after making the last of two appearances 26 years ago in South Africa.

To reach Cameroon, Sierra Leone staged the greatest comeback in Afcon qualifying history, coming from four goals down in Nigeria to draw 4-4.