African Cup of Nations 2019 Final: Preview

Senegal and Algeria meet in the Africa Cup of Nations final this week.

Algeria couldn’t have planned a more dramatic semi-final victory if they tried – with Riyad Mahrez slamming home a sensational free kick with virtually the last kick of the game against Nigeria on Sunday night.

Senegal meanwhile reached a final for just the second time in their history with an extra time goal from Dylan Bronn sinking Tunisia.

Sadio Mane is looking to make it the perfect summer and match his club success with Liverpool with a triumph for the Lions of Teranga. 

Senegal will be without key defender Kalidou Koulibaly for Friday’s decider.

The Napoli defender was booked for a second time in three matches after conceding a penalty in Sunday's 1-0 semi-final win over Tunisia in Cairo and will be suspended for the final.

Score prediction: Senegal 1-2 Algeria

Algeria are resilient and will enter the contest full of confidence after Sunday’s late winner – but Senegal have too many potential match winners in their side with Rennes pair M’Baye Niang and Ismaila Sarr backing up Mane. 

But Algeria might prove to be the dark horses in the finale.