Algeria qualified with the determination of the same candidate in the field, and Tunisia took it in a realistic way to the semi-finals of the African Cup of Nations held in Egypt. In the face of this, Nigeria will always be dangerous, and the "blacks" of Senegal seeking the title.
Two semi-finals will be held in the Egyptian capital tomorrow. Senegal and Tunisia will meet at the June 30 Stadium, Algeria and Nigeria at the Cairo Stadium.
The spirit of the Algerians
The word "spirit" was repeated in the talk about the Algerian team in the tournament. The desert warriors, with all their strength, rushed on the spearhead of the green rectangle, coach Gamal Belmadi, who found the successful composition of a team that had suffered many problems in the past years.
The Algerians themselves were the most prominent candidates, even before the exit of other top-level winners such as host Egypt and holder of the record in the number of continental titles (7), Morocco and Cameroon title holders.
In the first round of the tournament, Belmadi was crowned the first big star of the season as coach of Algeria, with three goals from goalkeeper Reiss Mablouhi, who conceded a solitary goal in five matches and captain Riad Mehrez from the English Premier League title with Manchester City. , Baghdad Bungah, Yusuf Baley and Ismail Ben Nasser.
It is difficult to separate stars and "ordinary" players in his squad. Even his only game of wide-ranging changes (against Tanzania in the third round), he won with three clean. Every player in his center, including right-back Youssef Atal, the only "black point" in the Ivory Coast win after a shoulder injury expected to keep him away from the next game at least.
Realistic Gerees
Realistically, Frenchman Alain Giris approaches his fifth game in the continental championship. The veteran coach leads the Carthage eagles among the minefields of criticism and results.
Made it to the final without a win, only three draws in Group E. In the final price against Ghana, also failed, although the draw by the end of the original time 1-1 came with fire friendly Rami Badawi, before the penalty shootout 5-4.
Tunisia waited in the quarter-finals to put themselves in a 3-0 win at the expense of Madagascar, which, although modest on paper, was the surprise of the tournament they fought for the first time.
With cool temper and confidence, Gereis faces every question Tunisian journalists have on performance. The big win did not change anything that was going on, but Gerees seemed firmer and more confident. "I will not respond to criticism."