AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS
Venue: Estadio de Mongomo Date: Monday, 19/1/15 Kick-off: 19:00 GMT
Coverage: Nile Sport website, BEIN Sports
LIVE UPDATE RIGHT HERE ON NILESPORTS.COM
Algeria will want their so-called ‘golden trio’ of Yacine Brahimi, Sofiane Feghouli and Islam Slimani to make a strong start to the tournament.
It is the calibre of those players that has led many to tip Algeria to win the tournament but coach Christian Gourcuff “disregards” their favourites tag.
South Africa are dedicating their campaign to Senzo Meyiwa, their keeper and captain who was killed in October.
Coach Shakes Mashaba says his side “have no reason to fear their rivals”.
And Bafana Bafana defender Anele Ngcongca believes that despite the side having no big-name players plying their trade in the European leagues, they will be able to compete.
“The confidence and team spirit is very high, we just want to go out there and prove to the continent that South Africa has the talent.
“I believe we can hold our own against the much-fancied Algeria. We are all aware that for the two teams it’s a crucial game and both want to start well.
“The squad that we have now has got fire in their eyes and the energy they have is unbelievable. We are all looking forward to this tournament and I think we can surprise a lot of teams.”
