The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations has reached the semi final stage.
The hosts exited at the round of 16 stage of the 24 team tournament. Mohamed Salah led Egypt could therefore be seen as the disappointment of the tournament, losing 1-0 to South Africa.
Madagascar were the surprising team of the group stage topping Group B with seven points, one more than Nigeria. The Barea islanders were led by Carolus Andriamatsinoro and their form extended into the knockout stage where they beat DR Congo on penalties before losing 3-0 to Tunisia in the quarter finals.
Benin were also surprising. The did finish only third in Group F behind Cameroon and Ghana but in the first knockout round beat Morocco on penalties, before losing 1-0 to Senegal. Mickael Pote scored Benin’s only two group stage goals as they tied all three games.
Despite the surprises the final four is made up of traditional African powers. It is Senegal vs Tunisia and Algeria vs Nigeria.
Algeria are the in form team having scored six but not conceded in the group stage. The North Africans then beat Guinea 3-0 in the round of 16 and won on penalties vs Ivory Coast (coached by Clarence Seedorf)
Algeria’s Adam Ounas shares the lead of the goal scoring chart and has scored three times so far. Riyad Mahrez and Youcef Belaili have scored two each. Senegal’s Sadio Mane has scored three and so has Nigeria’s Odion Ighalo.
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