AFCON 2015, Group C | Friday 23 January | Mongomo | 18:00
African giants Ghana and Algeria will face off, with the Black Stars looking to bounce back from their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Senegal while Algeria came back strong after going down 1-0 against South Africa to win their opening match 3-1.
To Win (90mins)
Ghana 5/2
Draw 2/1
Algeria 11/10
GHANA
Ghana will be hoping to get back to winning ways against the number one ranked team in Africa – Algeria. The Black Stars went down 2-1 in their opening game against Senegal after Moussa Sow struck late in injury time to earn Senegal victory.
The substitute scored with virtually the last kick of the game, slotting in from the edge of the box to snatch all three point for the Teranga Lions.
Ghana’s Andrew Ayew scored a first-half penalty after Everton winger Christian Atsu had been fouled before Stoke striker Mame Biram Diouf nodded in an equaliser and Sow wrapped up the win.
For Ghana, they are by no means out, but you imagine they will need at least four points from their two remaining games against Algeria and South Africa – not a simple task.
The Black Stars will reflect on a number of wasted chances in the first half, and they clearly missed their captain and striker Asamoah Gyan, who continues to recover from a bout of malaria.
However, the Ayew brothers along with Christian Atsu look a lethal combination in attack and the trio will be hoping to revive their countries chances as they look to claim their fifth Nations Cup.
ALGERIA
Ruthless Algeria stormed back from a goal down to eventually earn a hard fought 3-1 victory against South Africa on Monday night. South Africa were made to pay for their profligacy in front of goal as Algeria scored three times in the final 23 minutes to secure a victory that took them top of Group C.
Algeria might not have been at their best against the South Africans, but they can only get better.The best teams can grind out wins while not playing at their best which is usually the mark of champions.
Coach Christain Gourcuff should stick with his a 4-5-1 formation with Yacine Brahimi in a number 10 role behind the deadly Islam Slimani.
Sofiane Feghouli and Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez occupy the flanks and Faouzi Ghoulam who was on the score sheet against Bafana, offers an extra outlet down the left hand side.
Slimani is the one who shoulders the responsibility for putting finishing touches to Algeria’s fancy footwork, and Algeria will look to impose their game on the Black Stars. Importantly for the Desert Warriors, they got the win but will need to be much better if they are to qualify for the quarter-finals.
Betting Verdict: DRAW 2/1
Algeria will be looking to cement their spot in the next round but Ghana cannot afford to drop any more points. Both sides looked vulnerable in their opening matches and will need to tighten up their back-lines. Algeria have enough quality in attack to get the win and so do Ghana. Expect a close affair with the sides tipped to cancel each other out.
Written by Aaron Crowie for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
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