Algeria and Kenya will open their 2019 Africa Cup of Nations accounts when they face each other in the Group C clash on Sunday.
Algeria come into the match in good form, with just 1 loss in their last 9 matches. In their most recent match, they twice came from behind to eventually beat Mali 3-2.
Kenya have also been performing well recently. The have lost once in their last 7 matches and picked up an impressive win against Ghana last year whilst qualifying for the tournament.
The head-to-head record between the two teams is level at 3 wins each however they have not faced each other since 1997.
Algeria have one AFCON title to their name; winning the 1990 tournament as the host nation. They have had very little to shout about since then and a fourth-place finish in 2010 is their only other notable achievement.
Kenya are appearing in their sixth Africa Cup of Nations and their first since 2004. They will be hoping to improve on their previous effort, which saw them fail to qualify from their group.
If they are to reach the round of 16 this year, Victor Wanyama will be key to their chances. The midfield powerhouse reached the Champions League final with Tottenham Hotspur last season and his combative style of play is a real asset to the Kenya squad.
Algeria’s star man is Riyad Mahrez. The 28-year-old won the domestic treble with Manchester City last season and is capable of tearing defenses apart with his silky runs.
Midfielders Adam Ounas and Sofiane Feghouli are also players to watch out for and Islam Slimani – a team mate of Mahrez in their Leicester City days – is a proven goal scorer.
Algeria will be looking to finish at the top of Group C but will know that it won’t be easy with Senegal also in their group. A victory against Kenya in their opening match will put them on course and will settle any early nerves.
With Algeria and Senegal expected to occupy the top two spots in the group, Kenya’s most likely route to the round of 16 is to finish as one of the best third place teams.
Algeria’s squad is far superior to Kenya’s and they should claim a relatively easy victory to kick-start their campaign.