The 2023 African Nations Championship draws to a thrilling conclusion on Sunday when Algeria and Senegal go head-to-head in the grand finale.
Algeria breezed past the challenge of Niger in the previous round, while Senegal just about saw off the threat of Madagascar in their last-four encounter.
Match preview
Senegal showed great resolve to narrowly defeat Madagascar 1-0 when the sides locked horns at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Tuesday evening.
Pape Thiaw's men broke the deadlock through Pape Diallo after just four minutes, and that was enough to get the job done in a tense affair in Baraki.
Consequently, the Lions of Teranga have now come out on top in each of their most recent three outings without conceding a single goal in that time.
Awaiting them next is the challenge of an opposing side who are unbeaten in the last seven meetings between the teams across all competitions.
Seeking to avenge their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final defeat at the hands of Saturday's opponents, Senegal will definitely be fired up for this weekend's affair.
Algeria served up the best CHAN performance so far by a considerable distance as they handed a 5-0 thrashing to the Dama Gazelle of Niger at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium on Tuesday.
Ayoub Abdellaoui's opener, an Aymen Mahious brace and Katakore Boureima's own goal put Madjid Bougherra's men in cruise control after which Soufiane Bayazid put the final nail in the coffin late on.
Since kicking off the new year with a goalless stalemate against Ghana, the Fennec Foxes are currently on a run of five wins on the bounce by a combined score of 9-0.
Off the back of six straight clean sheets leading up to Saturday's contest, Algeria will fancy their themselves of keeping things tight at the back en route to a positive result once again.
Team News
Alexis Guendouz is now eligible to feature for Algeria once again after he served a one-game suspension in the victory over Niger Republic.
This should see Farid Chaal return to the substitutes' bench off the back of his first starting appearance of the 2023 CHAN last time out.
Pape Diallo grabbed his fifth international goal in seven outings courtesy of his winner against Madagascar, making the 18-year-old one to look out for.
Lamine Camara was hauled off with an injury scare in the final knockings of the aforementioned game, and the midfielder is a doubt for Saturday's clash.
Algeria possible starting lineup:
Guendouz; Abdellaoui, Belaid, Keddad; Belkhiter, Draoui, Kendouci, Mrezigue, Laouafi; Mahious, Meziane
Senegal possible starting lineup:
Sy; Sidibe, Ndiaye, Diouf, Sane; Kane; Nidaye, Camara; Mbaye, Diallo, Diouf
We say: Algeria 2-1 Senegal
Given the plethora of attacking talent on display, we are expecting an open contest with goals at both ends. That said, we just about fancy Algeria to emerge victorious and lift the CHAN trophy on home turf.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Adepoju Marvellous
