The Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON has four more matches remaining to play and call it a day after knowing the King of football in the African Continent football at least for the next two years.
After three weeks of 24 teams entourage which saw 8 teams get dropped to the round of sixteen, some days of rest also saw more teams get shown the door greatest of them all, the hosts who were bundled out by South Africa after a late goal.
The eight that remained were also reduced into four teams which are arguably some of the best countries in the continent to qualify for the semi-finals which will square it out for the final pitting two of either the clash between Algeria against Nigeria or the winner between Tunisia and Senegal.
The two semi-final fixtures have been confirmed following the completion of the quarter-final matches on Thursday with two West African teams and two from the North will face off in the semis on Sunday which means it will be a clash of the West against the North, or even from either side, but the truth will be known come Sunday.
Algeria
Algeria is one of the sides that have made a high number of appearances on the AFCON tournament having done so a record of 17 times and having won the trophy once, they are one of the best and strong sides that are rated high to go home with the trophy.
The Algerians who are enjoying the presence of Manchester City winger, Riyad Mahrez are into the semi-finals of AFCON 2019 with a record of five victories in a row four of which had come without conceding even a single goal while the fifth victory came after penelty shoot outs after the sie settle for a draw against Ivory Coast in normal and added times.
The Algerians recorded a 2-0 against Kenya in their opener match, won 1-0 in their second match against semi-finalists Senegal wh are facing Northern side Tunisia and thrashed 3-0 Tanzania, to send them out of the competitions.
The also beat Guinea 3-0 in the group of sixteen to book a quarterfinals slot against 22 times appearance side Ivory Coat whom they settled for a draw of 1-1 but beat them 4-3 on penalties to book their date with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Algeria will be looking up to Riyad Mahrez to drive them in conquering their semi-finals rivals Nigeria who have won the tournament a record of three times and made a total of seventeen appearances just like they have.
Djamel Benlamri is also an unsung hero in this Algeria team who has stood strong in the defence and could be honoured for not letting the forwards from their opponents from nearing the goal which is why they have not been hit a lot in the clashes, having only conceded a single goal from Ivory Coast.
He is one of the proper defenders that loves tackles and has been outstanding in their matches and one of their best central defenders since the days of Bougherra and Yahia.
Nigeria
Three-times AFCON winners, Nigeria who saw off Bafana Bafana have booked a clash with Riyad-led Algeria, who had earlier defeated Ivory Coast on post-match penalties to book a slot in the last eight.
The Nigerians did no have a good record in their campaigns but have miraculously snaked their way into the semis thanks to goals from Samuel Chukwueze and a late tap by Udinese man William Ekong who scored after a corner take.
The Nigerians demonstrated an impressive character in the last minutes of the match showing the zeal not to go to the extra time after their rivals had equalised through a header from Zungu that had to be decided after consultations with the Video Assisted Referee (VAR).
One of the Super Eagles shock defeat came in the hands of Islanders Madagascar in their final group B match, where the debutants beat them 2-0 at Alexandria Stadium despite the Nigerians dominating the game but could they could hardly utilise their chances of cracking the Madagascar defence.
Predictions
The ongoing tournament has produced some of the high and unexpected surprises and more of the same could be expected to continue although the remaining four are some of the best in the African soil.
Although Nigeria is one of the best on the continent, they have not shown their aggressiveness and want to win the trophy this year. They are likely going to be beaten by the Algerians who have shown all the desire and energy to do it.
The sie looks complete from every part of their team and beating the Super Eagles will not be a wonder but being beaten will without a doubt be a big talk of the day after showing a great run since the beginning of the tournament.