Bouaké – Angola and Algeria face for the 10th time on Monday at Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Côte d`Ivoire, since the first time the two clashed and drew goalless 39 years ago on March 31, 1985, for the 1986 World Cup qualifiers.
The two sides are in group D of the Africa Cup of Nations and have so far recorded six draws, a victory for Angola and two for Algeria.
The last clash on January 18, 2010 ended in a goalless draw in a match for the group A of the CAN hosted by Angola.
Angola just participated once in the World Cup (Germany/2006), while at the level of the African competition, the team has qualified for the quarter-finals twice, in 2008, in Ghana, and 2010, when the country hosted the competition.
Algeria have qualified 4 times for the World Cup: in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014, being continental champions in 1990 and 2019, in the latter, after beating Senegal, 1-0 in a competition held in Egypt.
Despite Algeria’s favoritism, Angola have arguments to face the much stronger opponent, with a squad full of seasoned players.
The Angolan team is made by the Veterans Fredy, Turkey's Alanyasprt, Buatu, France's Valencinnes, Keliano, Portugal's estrela da Amadora, Mabululu, from Egypt's Ittihad Alexandria and Jeremie Bela, from France's Clermont Foot, who will lead youngsters with less experience and desire to win.
Zito Luvumbo, from Cagliari (Italy), Gilberto, Petro (Angola), Depú, from Gil Vicente (Portugal), Show, from Maccabi Haifa (Israel), Gelson Dala, from Al Wakrah (Qatar), Zine, from Aek (Greece), Bruno Paz, Konyaspor and Loide Augusto, Alanyaspor (both from Turkey) are good examples of young people who can make a difference for the Angolan side.
The other teams of group D, Burkina Faso and Mauritani face Tuesday at the Stadium of Peace Bouke.
The clashes of the group C opposing Senegal-Gambia (3 pm) and Cameroon-Guinea (6 pm) takes place Monday.MC/CF/AMP
