Algeria is sending as many as 10 chartered flights carrying some 1,400 football fans to Cairo for the African Cup of Nations semi-final against Nigeria on Sunday, the country’s state TV reported.
Few believed coach Djamel Belmadi’s side would make it this far in the tournament, but the Desert Foxes are now hoping to clinch their first title in nearly 30 years.
And for that, the Algerian government is ready to do just about anything, including the setting aside of a fleet of commercial planes to transport supporters eager to attend the game.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi recognises his team is just two steps from “history” ahead of its Africa Cup of Nations semi-final with Nigeria.
Belmadi has reminded his players it will take their very best to lift the trophy in Egypt.
The Fennec Foxes have been the standout side in the tournament, avoiding a single defeat in five matches and conceding just once, that goal coming in the 1-1 quarter-final draw with Cote d’Ivoire that Algeria went on to win 4-3 on penalties.
Monday’s (AEST) clash with Nigeria will be only Algeria’s second semi-final since winning the competition as host in 1990, when it most recently contested an AFCON final.
While most coaches would look to deflect talk of such historic achievements and demand absolute focus, Belmadi reminisced about the 1990 victory and believes success this time around would be even more impressive as Algeria is not playing on home soil.
“The one that we won was in 1990, a long time ago when it was at home. We’ve never won since. This is away from home, it’s more difficult, of course,” Belmadi said.
“This is our target, we want to write our history and the players want to write their history as well.
“It’s not far — two more steps, but two very difficult steps to this great achievement. We will try our best.”
Nigeria has, for the most part, enjoyed a solid tournament as well, with its only hiccup coming in a surprise 2-0 defeat to minnow Madagascar in the final group match.
Since then the Super Eagles have seen off defending champion Cameroon as well as South Africa, the conqueror of tournament host Egypt and a pre-tournament favourite.
Nigeria beat Algeria 3-1 and also drew 1-1 with the same opponent in FIFA World Cup qualifying, but coach Gernot Rohr is adamant the Fennec Foxes are in much better shape now under Belmadi.
“He’s done a very professional job,” Rohr said of Belmadi. “They were shaky at the time. We beat them 3-1 and they made lots of individual errors and defensive mistakes that made it easier for us to win. They were also fragile in the draw.
“Now I see a solid Algeria side with a good balance between attack and defence. They’re still physical, but they have come on since and it will be a much harder match than in World Cup qualifying.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Algeria – Youcef Belaili
One of Algeria’s form players at the AFCON, Belaili was particularly lively in the quarter-final against Cote d’Ivoire. The attacker created five goal-scoring opportunities, more than anyone else on the pitch and has already proven himself to be decisive, having netted twice in the tournament.
Nigeria – Samuel Chukwueze
His goal in the 2-1 win over South Africa in the last round made 20-year-old Chukwueze the youngest goalscorer at the tournament. Possessing a dazzling combination of blistering pace and fine dribbling, the Villarreal star is an explosive talent and will surely be key if the Super Eagles are to get past Algeria.
KEY FACTS
– Algeria and Nigeria will face each other for the ninth time in the AFCON, becoming the most regular encounter in the competition for both teams. The record between them is perfectly balanced, with three wins apiece and two draws.
– Algeria will play its seventh AFCON semi-final, its first since 2010, having qualified only twice in its previous six. Three of its AFCON semi-finals have gone to penalties (winning once in 1980 and losing in 1984 and 1988).
– Nigeria will play its 14th AFCON semi-final, more than any other team. However, the Super Eagles have qualified for the final only once in their past five semi-finals. It was against Mali in 2013 (a 4-1 win).
– Algeria midfielder Adam Ounas has been involved in a goal every 30 minutes in this year’s tournament (three goals, one assist in 121 minutes played), the best ratio in the competition.
– Nigeria midfielders Peter Etebo (46) and Wilfred Ndidi (41) have won possession more times than any other outfield players at the AFCON.