World Cup 2022: Can The Foxes Stun The Lions Again?

Algeria vs Cameroon

One of Africa’s big guns is heading out of the qualification this week when World Cup 2022: Algeria vs Cameroon is the entertainment on offer at the Mustafa Tchaker Stadium in Blida.

Algeria beat Cameroon for the first time in a competitive match since 1986, winning the away leg 1-0 and that puts them in a very strong position coming into the second leg. The Lions were unbeaten in Douala since 2000 so this was a result which sent shock waves through Africa. The Desert Foxes put on a disciplined defensive display to keep one of the continent’s best attacking sides at bay, and Islam Slimani’s brilliant header, just before half time, was enough to send the Algerians home with an unexpected advantage.

It was the perfect 46^th birthday gift for Foxes’ head coach Djamel Belmadi and he will be determined to guide his men through the second leg in their bid to reach their fifth World Cup finals. 

Talking Points

Mahrez is pure class for Algeria

The Desert Foxes had a disappointing AFCON, losing to Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast and surprisingly bowing out at the group stage, but before that January disappointment they were unbeaten in 35 games in all competitions. They owe much of their success to the mercurial Riyad Mahrez who has scored 26 goals from 73 internationals and is a constant supply of crosses and assists for the team.

Mahrez is a key player in Manchester City’s title campaign and Algeria fans will claim they have the best player in Africa, though Egypt and Mo Salah may not agree. If Cameroon are to have any chance of progressing they must keep tabs on Mahrez as he can create a goal from almost nothing with a defense-splitting pass, a mazy run or a spectacular strike.

And he is not the only threat.

33-year-old Slimani put forward his case for another cap with his well taken goal in the first leg. The former Leicester City striker rose to meet a cross from Youcef Belailli and planted an unstoppable header past Ajax keeper Andre Onana. 

And Milan’s 24 year old midfielder Ismail Bennacer is used to the big games; he scored a spectacular strike to give I Rossoneri a 1-0 victory over Cagliari last week and keep them at the top of the Serie A title race.

Song has no time to settle  

In contrast to their hosts the Indomitable Lions had an excellent AFCON campaign, top scoring and reaching the semi-final before failing to breach the defensive wall of Egypt in the semi-final and losing to the Pharaohs on penalties. Head coach Rigobert Song was appointed as head coach at the start of March with one target in mind…to qualify for the World Cup finals; and now he has a mountain to climb.

The 45-year-old is the most capped player in the nation’s history, making 135 appearances and, an uncompromising defender, Song played for Liverpool and West Ham in the Premier League. Now he needs this current crop of players to show the same steel in their resolve to beat the Foxes on their own turf.

They have the firepower.    

Here at SBOTOP we were impressed by 30-year-old Vincent Aboubakar, who won the AFCON 2022 Golden Boot, while FC Bayern’s Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Lyon’s Karl Toko Ekambi both have an eye for goal and proven pedigree.  

No team has reached more World Cup finals than Cameroon and that’s a record the proud Lions will be desperate to preserve.

History

Algeria have appeared in the World Cup four times, reaching the Round of 16 in 2014, while Cameroon have appeared on the world stage seven times, famously making the quarter-finals in 1990 as 38-year-old Roger Milla scored twice in a Round of 16 victory over Colombia.  

While the Desert Foxes have the upper hand in this tie, the previous Algeria vs Cameroon results went the way of the Lions, when they drew 1-1 in Algeria in 2016 and won 2-0 at home the following year. 

Betting Tip

The pre-match Algeria vs Cameroon betting odds tell us we’re in for a thrilling battle on Tuesday night, with all three results in play; though two of the outcomes would suit the Desert Foxes perfectly. A home win, at a price of 2.20, or a draw will take then through, while Cameroon need to pull off a revenge win at 3.52. But the Lions need to shake off some poor form away from home; losing four of their last seven games on the road. These are two well matched sides but I’m backing Algeria to come through in front of their home fans.

 

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