Semi-final fixtures
Senegal vs. Tunisia – Sunday July 14, 2019, 17:00
Nigeria vs. Algeria – Sunday July 14, 2019, 20:00
Sunday's outing at the Cairo International Stadium will be the ninth time Algeria and Nigeria will face off in the continental competition.
Winners meet in final slated for Friday July 19, 2019
Losers will play in the third-place game on 17 July, 2019
The final could potentially be an all West African or all North African affair. It could also be a battle between the West and North – Africa’s perennial football power blocs.
Senegal is the only team that has yet to taste AFCON glory in the quartet. Nigeria have won it thrice whiles Algeria and Tunisia have each won it once.
Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi has revealed that the Desert Foxes of Algeria can’t stop Nigeria’s quest of winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the fourth time.
The Arsenal star netted Nigeria’s third goal in their 3-2 win over defending champions, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in the round of 16 clash on Wednesday.
As the team ready to face Algeria in the semi-final on Sunday, Iwobi told BBCSports that the team has what it takes to beat them.
“We are not worried about the way they’ve played and their unbeaten run. We just have to try and win it. Algeria is one of the great teams in Africa.
“We know it’s not going to be easy, they’ve got quality players but so do we. It’s going to be a great game to watch, let’s hope Nigeria can do it.
“If we manage to achieve success here, we will go down in history. I know it’s always been our childhood dream to win as many competitions as we can,” he said.
Nigeria lost the 1990 Nations Cup final to hosts Algeria, but they have edged past the North Africans 1-0 in their last two meetings at the tournament in 2002 and 2010.
But Algeria, seeking a second Nations Cup triumph, are unbeaten in Egypt. They came through against Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties in their quarter-final, following a 1-1 draw after extra time.
Djamel Belmadi's men will be hoping to end their trophy drought on the continent by progressing to the final while Nigeria are in the hunt for their fourth continental title.
Head coach of Nigeria’s Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has given reasons why his side’s target at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations’ was to get to the semi-final.
One of Rohr’s reasons was that the Super Eagles are currently number three in Africa.
Rohr’s men have already achieved their target after beating South Africa at the quarter-final encounter on Wednesday night.
Rohr said: “Our target was to get to the AFCON semi-final stage because we are number three in Africa so we have to be in this position also to be on that level. But it was so difficult because the game was very close.”
He added: “We had to wait until the last minute to score a second goal against South Africa. We didn’t score the second goal in the first half but in the second half, we were punished. We are looking forward to the next game.”
Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has promised the Super Eagles of Nigeria $50,000 (N18 million) for every goal they score in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Another Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola also made a similar promise to the team that they will get $25,000 (N9 million) for every goal scored.
The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, disclosed this to the team during a breakfast meeting on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, while congratulating them for their victory against South Africa.
Senegal vs Tunisia:
One of Rohr’s reasons was that the Super Eagles are currently number three in Africa.
Rohr’s men have already achieved their target after beating South Africa at the quarter-final encounter on Wednesday night.
Rohr said: “Our target was to get to the AFCON semi-final stage because we are number three in Africa so we have to be in this position also to be on that level. But it was so difficult because the game was very close.”
He added: “We had to wait until the last minute to score a second goal against South Africa. We didn’t score the second goal in the first half but in the second half, we were punished. We are looking forward to the next game.”
Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote has promised the Super Eagles of Nigeria $50,000 (N18 million) for every goal they score in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Another Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola also made a similar promise to the team that they will get $25,000 (N9 million) for every goal scored.
The President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, disclosed this to the team during a breakfast meeting on Thursday in Cairo, Egypt, while congratulating them for their victory against South Africa.
Senegal vs Tunisia:
The Teranga Lions are aiming for their first title in the continental tournament in Egypt and the 43-year-old boss is fully committed to the dream Goal.com reported
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has insisted his side will remain focused when they take on Tunisia in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on Sunday.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia set up a date with the Teranga Lions, following their 3-0 victory over Madagascar in the quarter-final on Thursday.
The Teranga Lions reached the last four of the continental tournament for the first time in 13 years after their fourth-placed finish in 2006.
Having failed to win the African title in their previous appearances in the competition, Cisse believes his side will not lose focus as they aim for glory in Egypt.
“Tunisia are a good team who do good things. We won’t underestimate anyone and we won’t lack concentration,” Cisse told Goal.
“We’ll take points as they come. There are still two matches. We came here with ambition, we hoped to play the quarter-final, we’ll keep our feet on the ground.
“Since 2006, we didn’t reach this level. It’s been 13 years Senegal haven’t been here, it’s already a progression.
“We’ll have more humility. I believe these are great professionals. I’ve always been confident in the work we’re doing.”
Cisse helped the Teranga Lions qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup for the first time since 2002.
The West Africans also failed to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and were eliminated in the group stage of the 2015 edition before Cisse helped them to reach the quarter-final of the 2017 edition.
“It’s been more than 17 years that Senegal hadn’t competed at the World Cup, it had been two finals they hadn’t got out of the group. In 2017 we did,” he continued.
“We haven’t reached this far since 2006, so yes, it’s an evolution, we’re improving step by step.”
Rennes striker Mbaye Niang has failed to find the back of the net in the competition, despite playing for 397 minutes in five games for the Teranga Lions.
“I called up 23 players and included Mbaye - I know what he can do, what he’s capable of - he didn’t score, but you can’t forget everything [he is doing].”
Senegal coach Aliou Cisse has insisted his side will remain focused when they take on Tunisia in the semi-final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) on Sunday.
The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia set up a date with the Teranga Lions, following their 3-0 victory over Madagascar in the quarter-final on Thursday.
The Teranga Lions reached the last four of the continental tournament for the first time in 13 years after their fourth-placed finish in 2006.
Having failed to win the African title in their previous appearances in the competition, Cisse believes his side will not lose focus as they aim for glory in Egypt.
“Tunisia are a good team who do good things. We won’t underestimate anyone and we won’t lack concentration,” Cisse told Goal.
“We’ll take points as they come. There are still two matches. We came here with ambition, we hoped to play the quarter-final, we’ll keep our feet on the ground.
“Since 2006, we didn’t reach this level. It’s been 13 years Senegal haven’t been here, it’s already a progression.
“We’ll have more humility. I believe these are great professionals. I’ve always been confident in the work we’re doing.”
Cisse helped the Teranga Lions qualify for the 2018 Fifa World Cup for the first time since 2002.
The West Africans also failed to qualify for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations and were eliminated in the group stage of the 2015 edition before Cisse helped them to reach the quarter-final of the 2017 edition.
“It’s been more than 17 years that Senegal hadn’t competed at the World Cup, it had been two finals they hadn’t got out of the group. In 2017 we did,” he continued.
“We haven’t reached this far since 2006, so yes, it’s an evolution, we’re improving step by step.”
Rennes striker Mbaye Niang has failed to find the back of the net in the competition, despite playing for 397 minutes in five games for the Teranga Lions.
“I called up 23 players and included Mbaye - I know what he can do, what he’s capable of - he didn’t score, but you can’t forget everything [he is doing].”
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