Africa Cup of Nations: Algeria coach admits chances are slim

Algeria coach Georges Leekens admitted on Sunday that his side do not stand much chance of making it to the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations.
“We know that the chances are not great. It does not only depend on us,” said the Belgian ahead of Monday’s final matches in Group B.
Algeria, with just one point to their name, must beat already-qualified Senegal and hope Tunisia lose to outsiders Zimbabwe if they are to make the last eight.
Even then they must make sure they finish with a better goal difference than Zimbabwe.
At Sunday’s press conference in Franceville, southern Gabon, Leekens added: “The most important thing when you are a professional, when you have a chance, is that you take that chance.”
Algeria, with current African Footballer of the Year Riyad Mahrez in their ranks, meet Senegal in Franceville while the other game takes place at the same time in Gabon’s capital Libreville.
“We will do everything to win our game and qualify for the quarter-finals,” added veteran defender Djamel Mesbah.
“Our chances are negligible but when our backs are against the wall and we need a little sparkle to get out of a crisis, that is when we are strong. I have no worries about that.”
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse says he will not rest his first-choices, even though the result is of academic interest to him with first place sewn up.
“We intend fielding our strongest side,” he said. “This fixture has the potential to be a thriller and all the players want to compete.
“I believe that football followers the length and breadth of Africa are looking forward to this match.”
A glance at the line-ups makes it clear why the final-round group game is so eagerly anticipated.
The Senegal attack includes Liverpool star Sadio Mane, third in the 2016 African Footballer of the Year poll, and Keita Balde of Lazio.
Henri Saivet, a Newcastle United midfielder on loan to Saint-Etienne, is another Teranga Lion in form, creating the first goal in the 2-0 win over Zimbabwe and scoring the second.
Among the reasons Algeria were rated potential champions by pundits was the presence of winger Mahrez.
But after being a pivotal figure in the sensational 2015-2016 English Premier League title success of Leicester City, his form with club and country has dipped.
Mahrez did score twice against Zimbabwe in a 2-2 draw, but was largely anonymous for long periods, and then well contained by Tunisia.
Leicester team-mate Islam Slimani and former BBC African Footballer of the Year Yacine Brahimi are some of the other stars in the Algerian line-up who need to raise their games significantly.
Wahbi Khazri, seldom used by Premier League strugglers Sunderland this season, came off the bench to trouble Senegal during a 2-0 defeat and was instrumental in the victory over Algeria.
Fellow attacker Naim Sliti boasts that Tunisia play “beautiful football,” but all Polish coach Henryk Kasperczak wants against Zimbabwe is one point.
A concern for the Tunisians is the fitness of experienced goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi, who was forced to retire injured during the win over Algeria.
After a gutsy show against Algeria, Zimbabwe were overwhelmed by Senegal and fortunate to finish with just a two-goal beating.

Source: Arab News