Africa Cup of Nations 2019: Algeria vs Nigeria

The last four of the Africa Cup of Nations pit Nigeria against Algeria. The Algerian desert foxes are the biggest scorers in the competition with 10 goals, and the undefeated teams have conceded only their first goal against Ivory Coast in the quarter-finals. Nigeria, meanwhile, is less fanatic but knows how to win matches, losing only against Madagascar after qualifying for his group.

Our tactical badysis traces the progress of both teams and shows how the game can be won on both sides.

Form

Nigeria advanced to the semi-finals in a 2-1 win over South Africa in Cairo. The Super Eagles took the lead thanks to Samuel Chukwueze of Villareal, but they were unlucky when the video-referee-VAR badistant spotted Odion Ighalo's touch, which gave the advantage to the head for Bongani Zungu. The Nigerians found the winner in the 89th minute with a corner kick from William Troost-Ekong (Udinese).

Algeria was imposed in the 1-1 draw with Côte d'Ivoire. Sofiane Feghouli opened the scoring before Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) equalized for the Ivorians in the second half. Raïs M'Bolhi of Algeria saved one of two missed shots.

Variable Styles

Algeria is complex in and around the box. Thanks to their 4-1-4-1 configuration, Riyadh Mahrez, Feghouli, Youcef Belaïli and Baghdad Bounedjah combine with fast movements. Nigeria has a strong defensive core, including midfielders Wilfred Ndidi, Peter Etebo and the last four.

Nigeria has so far shown an incredible fighting spirit in this tournament, so it has not played at its best, but continues to win. Their aerial prowess (17 wins per match) was important to them and they would seek to use it against Algerians (13.4 per game). With long diagonal pbades from his defense to tricky and difficult fins, Nigeria isolates the sides and hits the counter. Central defenders Omeruo (5.5 long pbades per game) and Troost-Ekong (4.8) are followers of this sport, followed by central midfielders Etebo (3.6) and Ndidi (2).

Nigeria advantage?

The conservative style of Nigeria and the additional 24 hours of preparation played Wednesday night could prove indispensable. We must also take into account Algeria's style of action and the extra thirty minutes and penalties in their quarter-final clash on Thursday night. Nigeria also has the psychological advantage of defeating North Africans in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers, even though the second leg is tied with Nigeria already qualified.

Adam Ounas, however, must have other ideas, he has three goals and a help in only 121 minutes and the Super Eagles must be wary of Napoli. Mahrez is as dangerous as ever for Algeria, which has already scored two goals. He and striker Bounedjah hoped to touch Nigeria as much as possible with Islam Slimani also on the bench.

Conclusion

It would take a huge effort to eliminate this endemic Algerian camp, so that Nigeria has to organize its match. Their hopes rest on the shoulders of their very important defense, as well as on the future of Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Ahmed Musa and Ighalo. Algeria must hope to send the Super Eagles earlier than expected, but that could just play in Nigeria's smart game.

However, no matter the outcome, both teams can be proud of their CAN race and the winner will take advantage of this momentum to qualify for the final.

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