Algeria
African Cup of Nations Semi Final
Algeria p2-2 Cameroon
Boudebouz ( 6 )
Ghezzal (39)
We are through to the final! A fantastic performance against a very good side, but it came via a penalty shootout. Samuel Eto’o had already retired, but on paper, Cameroon are still a better side than us. Newcastle’s Boudebouz gave us the lead, and then Ghezzal could and should have made it two when he found himself one-on-one. Shortly after, Cameroon equalised, but we stuck to a positive game plan, and Ghezzal eventually got his goal just before half time. We could have put the game beyond doubt, but in the second half, Cameroon got the equaliser, and they were the ones doing the pressing in extra time. But then when it came to the shoot-out, we missed one and they missed two.
Algeria p2-2 Cameroon
Boudebouz ( 6 )
Ghezzal (39)
We are through to the final! A fantastic performance against a very good side, but it came via a penalty shootout. Samuel Eto’o had already retired, but on paper, Cameroon are still a better side than us. Newcastle’s Boudebouz gave us the lead, and then Ghezzal could and should have made it two when he found himself one-on-one. Shortly after, Cameroon equalised, but we stuck to a positive game plan, and Ghezzal eventually got his goal just before half time. We could have put the game beyond doubt, but in the second half, Cameroon got the equaliser, and they were the ones doing the pressing in extra time. But then when it came to the shoot-out, we missed one and they missed two.
So we are through to the African Cup of Nations final, where we will play the hosts, Senegal. And I fancy our chances, although they did beat Ghana to get here. However, I have come across a problem. The final is on the same day as Huracan’s league match against Velez, and I’m not sure how this will work. I realised when I got the call to do two pre-match press conferences on the same day. Has anybody had this before?
---------- Post added at 08:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:14 PM ----------
African Cup of Nations Final
Senegal 2-1 Algeria
Achiou (90)
Achiou (90)
I am devastated. I somehow made it to Senegal in time for this match, after having a match in Argentina with Huracan in the morning. We couldn’t have got off to a worse start, as Demba Ba gave the hosts the lead within the first minute. It left us chasing the game, something we haven’t had to do all tournament. And we could never really get a foothold in the game, and struggled to get out of our own half.
Moussa Sow added a second for Senegal in the second half, and we couldn’t recover. I even went three at the back, to give some support to Ghezzal, but it wasn’t until the last minute of added time that substitute Achiou scored a consolation.
Overall, I am delighted with the way my team performed throughout the competition. But we just didn’t turn up in the final. And Senegal did. I don’t know if it was home or advantage, or if we just choked, but Senegal are certainly no better than Cameroon or South Africa, two teams we left in our wake. But I am looking forward to trying to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, which is held in the U.S.A.