- Sunday January 15, 2017
- Algeria Vs Zimbabwe – Stade de Franceville @ 4pm Local Time (7pm EAT)
- Follow live commentary of the match on the Kawowo Sports Website
On paper, the tie between North Africans Algeria and Zimbabwe is viewed as a Goliath vs David affair but that’s not what Algeria coach, George Leekens sees.
The Belgian whose side will face among others Senegal and Tunisia in group B expects a tough challenge from a side returning to the finals for the first time since the 2006 edition.
“I view our game against them as a tough challenge,” he told BBC Sport. “We need to apply our minds 100% to how we are going to conquer Zimbabwe,” he added.
Algeria comes into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy with big names such as Africa Player of the Year Riyad Mahrez, Islam Sliman and Yacini Brahim among others.
But Leekens insists, I am only thinking about the Zimbabwe challenge despite the pre-tournament problems they had as they can surprise.
All the Algerian media and public are talking about is Senegal and Tunisia (the other two teams in Group B), but I am thinking only of Zimbabwe. I know they had some pre-tournament problems regarding bonuses, but the Nations Cup history is littered with teams who have defied off-field problems to succeed.
Zimbabwe coach Callisto Pasuwa, one of the only four coaches from Africa at the competition says football is played on the pitch and he is confident of upsetting the Desert Foxes.
“We clearly know we are in a tough group that includes the likes of Algeria and Senegal,” said Pasuwa. “Football is decided on the pitch and if they can put enough effort just like they did against giants Cameroon in the friendly, then we will surprise everyone,” he added.
Before the competition, the Warriors drew 1-1 with giants Cameroon in a friendly played in Yaoundé and Pasuwa believes being treated as underdogs by their opponents will take pressure off them.
I’m happy because our opponents will treat us like underdogs, taking the pressure off us and making it easier for a good surprise from the Warriors.”
Though not a star studded side, Zimbabwe have quality in players like Knowledge Musona and Khama Billiat who can hurt defences.
FACTS:
- Zimbabwe won the only meeting between the two sides at AFCON 2014. They beat the Algerians 2-1 in Tunisia.
- Algeria have only won the competition once in 1990 while Zimbabwe have never won it.
The match provides chance to see the first win of the tournament as both games in group A ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
