Champions Algeria thrash Ghana to send Afcon warning to Super Eagles, other title hopefuls

The Fennecs showed their superiority over the West Africans in their last friendly before heading to Cameroon

African champions Algeria forced a 3-0 thrashing down the throat of Ghana in an international friendly played in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday evening.

Algeria led at halftime thanks to Adam Ounas’ 8th-minute strike before Jonathan Mensah’s own goal, and Slimani’s 79th-minute effort after the break sealed a brilliant win for the Fennecs.

With the latest win, the North African giants remain unbeaten in their last 34 matches, having secured an incredible 26 victories and eight draws.

Algeria lifted the Arab Cup in December and are the clear favourites to defend the Africa Cup of Nations title they won in Egypt in 2019.

The Riyad Mahrez-captained side defeated Nigeria in the semifinals of that tournament before edging Senegal in the final to claim just their second Afcon triumph.

Despite missing a few key stars, the Super Eagles will aim to join Sadio Mane-powered Teranga Lions, hosts Cameroon, and a Mohamed Salah-inspired Egypt as the sides capable of stopping the Fennecs from strolling to another title romp.

Nigeria are three-time winners of the Nations Cup following triumphs in the 1980, 1994, and 2013 editions.

Cameroon have claimed the trophy five times while no other country has won it more times than Egypt’s seven crowns. Senegal, despite their storied history in the championship, have never won the Afcon Cup. 

Algeria are pooled alongside Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Sierra Leone in Group E of the tournament scheduled to start on Sunday, January 9.