Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying | Group Stage

Nov 17, 2024 at 4pm UK

Stade Mustapha Tchaker

Algeriavs.Liberia

Match preview

Algeria lost points in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for the first time on Thursday when they played out a goalless draw with Equatorial Guinea at the Nuevo Estadio de Malabo.

Vladimir Petkovic's team were a bit off their game at the attacking end of the pitch, with just four shots to Equatorial Guinea's 12. Both sides cancelled each other out.

Before that, Algeria had four wins from four games in Group E. They beat Equatorial Guinea and Liberia in September, then Togo twice in October.

The Desert Warriors, who are currently ranked 37th in the FIFA World Rankings, have picked up 13 points from a possible 15 in Group E, putting them in the top spot. They're five points ahead of second-placed Equatorial Guinea.

Algeria have now finished their qualifying campaign against an opposing side who have failed to win any of their previous seven encounters. They lost four and drew three since February 1999.

In other news, Liberia, who have already been knocked out of the 2025 AFCON, picked up their first win in the qualifying campaign as they edged out Togo 1-0 at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex on Thursday.

With the game tied as it headed into the final 10 minutes, Mohammed Sangare came up trumps for the Lone Stars, scoring from the penalty spot to secure a hard-fought victory.

Liberia got off to a rocky start, drawing 1-1 with Togo at the Stade de Kegue on September 6th. They then lost three games in a row, including back-to-back losses to Equatorial Guinea in October.

It looks like Mario Marinica's team are going to miss out on the Africa Cup of Nations again. They're currently third in Group E with four points from a possible 12, four points behind Equatorial Guinea in the second qualifying spot.

Liberia's last AFCON appearance came back in 2002, when they suffered a group-stage exit after losing once and picking up two draws to finish third in the Group A standings, one point above rock-bottom Algeria.

Recent Performance

Algeria Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:WWWWD

Algeria form (all competitions):WWWWWD

Liberia Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying form:DDLLLW

Liberia form (all competitions):WDLLLW

Team News

Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini had to come off at half time on Thursday due to an injury against Equatorial Guinea, so it's not clear if he'll be fit for Sunday's game.

If he's out, 31-year-old Mohamed Amine Madani might get a start. He'd play with Mohamed Tougai and Lille guy Aissa Mandi in the three-man defence.

On the other side of the pitch, Riyad Mahrez should lead the Eagles' attack with Mohamed Amoura, while Said Benrahma, Adem Zorgane and Feyenoord's Ramiz Zerrouki should team up in midfield.

After securing their first win in Group E, Marinica could name a similar starting XI this weekend. Mark Pabai, Prince Balde, Sampson Dweh and Sabastine Teclar will likely form the back four once again.

It looks like Oscar Dorley will be partnering up with Divine Teah in the midfield, while Emmanuel Ernest might be a doubt for Sunday's game after coming off injured against Togo in midweek.

Possible starting lineup

Algeria possible starting lineup:

Oukidia; Madani, Tougai, Mandi; Ait Nouri, Benrahma, Zerrouki, Zorgane, Farsi; Amoura, Mahrez

Liberia possible starting lineup:

Koulibaly; Pabai; Balde, Dweh, Teclar; Toe, Dorley, Teah, Ledlum; Kumeh, Gibson