Citi Sports’ Benjamin Epton takes a look at the two teams before they meet in Mongomo later on Friday in Group C of the 2015 AFCON.
The Black Stars will hope to bounce back from their painful 2-1 defeat to Senegal and secure maximum points against Algeria when both teams face off at exactly 1600GMT today in Equatorial Guinea.
The Black Stars who are currently lying third in Group C must win or draw in today’s decisive game to better their chances of progressing out of the group.
Algeria on the other hand already have a win to their name – against South Africa and will only require a victory to wrap up qualification from Group C with a game to spare.
Today’s game at the Estadio de Mongomo will be the fourth time both teams will be playing each other at the Nations Cup[1980,1982 and 1984] with the Black Stars wining one and drawing another in all these encounters.
Pre-game comments
Knowing the nature of the task that lies ahead of them today, winger, Christian Atsu has assured Ghanaians they have learned a lot from their 2-1 loss to Senegal and is confident they will turn things around when they play desert foxes.
“The first day we weren’t happy, but we believe that the tournament is still on and we still have hope; a chance to qualify,” he said
Meanwhile, Algeria coach Christian Gourcouf is wary of the threat the Black Stars could pose and has cautioned his side to treat this game with all seriousness.
“Ghana’s current in the group will not change our mentality and we have to win the match to qualify for the quarter finals. I have seen the video of Ghana’s last match about two to three times and I still hold to opinion that it will be difficult for us” Gourcouf said at a press briefing
Team news
After sitting out of the Senegal game, Captain Asamoah Gyan and John Boye have resumed full training and are expected to return into the team’s starting line – up against Algeria today.
Aside those two, there are no other injury worries
With Algeria, head coach, Christian Gourcuff has confirmed that Islam Slimani has recovered from the knock he suffered against South Africa and will be expected to feature against the Stars today.
Team Profile
Algeria
Coach: Christian Gourcuff
Star Man: Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon) – The Sporting Lisbon was key for his team during the qualifiers and his imprtance is evident with one goal scored already in the 3-1 win over South Africa.
How They Qualified: Finished top of Group B
Best Performance: Winners (1990)
Ghana
Coach: Avram Grant
Star Man: Asamoah Gyan (Al-Ain) – The Black Stars captain has 45 goals in 86 caps. He will be expected to score the needed goals as the Black Stars hope to find a win that could send them to the knockout stages.
How they qualified: Finished top of Group E Best Performance: Winners (1963, 1965, 1978, 1982)
Tactical Preview
Algeria
Christian Gourcuff is likely to stick to his favoured 4-4-2 system and will rely on a fluid and direct passing style of play where the likes of Riyad Mahrez on the right and Yacine Brahimi on the left will use their pace to run down the flanks and float in crosses to supply Islam Slimani and Sofiane Feghouli balls upfront.
In midfield, Sasuolo midfielder, Saphir Taïder is tipped to replace Medhi Lacine after his poor showing against Bafana Bafana.
Tadir together with Nabib Bentaleb will be tasked to shield the Algerian back four and start counter attacks and supply the likes of Brahimi, Mahrez, Fenghouli and Slimani.
In defence, the likes of Faouzi Ghoulam, Aissa Mandi, Rafik Halliche and Carl Medjani will probably sit deep with the possible return of Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan.
Algeria showed a tendency to defend in triangles during qualifiers so the plan will be to outnumber the Ghanaian attack at every point.
Tactical Preview
Ghana
For the Black Stars, Avram Grant is also expected to stick to the 3-4-2-1 formation he used against Senegal.
Knowing that a draw or defeat will end their campaign the Black Stars are expected to press the Algerians from the start of the game.
With Gyan returning, Jordan Ayew is expected to play a lot from the left towards the centre. His ability to go at defenders will give a job to either cross for Gyan or take shots at goal.
David Accam will be expected to do the same thing on his flank.
Facts
Black Stars winger A. Ayew will play against former Lorient manager, Christian Gourcouff. Played under him during the 2008/09 season.
Andre Ayew will get a chance to revenge his dad’s painful defeat during the 1994 World Cup qualifiers when Algeria beat Ghana 2-1 on a water logged pitch. Ghana eventually missed the World Cup in 1994 after losing to Burundi in the final round of the qualifiers.
Prediction
Just like the first game against Senegal, today’s is going be a tough one for the Black Stars against a tactically disciplined Algerian side.
However, looking at seeming lack of creativity upfront and in midfield the Desert Foxes of Algeria are like to take this one.
By: Benjamin Epton Owusu/Citifmonline.com/Ghana