Monitoring Desk
\nCAIRO
\nSadio Mane\u2019s Senegal and an Algeria side captained by Riyad Mahrez will attempt to secure their place in Africa Cup of Nations history in Friday\u2019s final in Cairo. Senegal, the 2002 runners-up, are desperate to end a long wait for a first continental title, while Algeria are looking to add to the trophy they lifted as hosts 29 years ago.
\nFor Senegal, Africa\u2019s top ranked side, the ride to the final has encountered its share of bumps in the road but there is little doubt the showpiece at the 75,000-capacity Cairo International Stadium will feature the tournament\u2019s two standout teams.
\nA Youcef Belaili goal gave Algeria a 1-0 win when the countries met in the group stage, but this time there is no second chance with Cup of Nations immortality awaiting the victor.
\n\u201cIf you get to the final, the aim is obviously to win it. The game in the group stage wasn\u2019t decisive but now it is and that\u2019s the difference,\u201d said Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi.
\nSenegal coach Aliou Cisse is on a mission for personal redemption as the skipper of the side beaten on penalties in the 2002 final, when his missed kick handed the title to Cameroon.
\n\u201cHaving lost that final, I still have it on my mind,\u201d said Cisse. \u201cWhat motivated me to become a coach was to be able to take Senegal to the final. My players told me they would do better than my generation.\u201d \u201cAlgeria are a great team and we respect them,\u201d he added. \u201cWe\u2019re in the final now and determined to win.\u201d
\nLiverpool star Mane is hoping to fulfil his \u201cwildest dream\u201d as one of just a handful of Africans to win both the UEFA Champions League and Cup of Nations. \u201cI\u2019m ready to even swap a Champions League for a Cup of Nations. Going to Dakar with the trophy would be extraordinary. It would be my wildest dream,\u201d Mane told France Football ahead of the competition.
\nStanding in the way, however, is an Algerian outfit that has undergone a remarkable transformation since the arrival of the straight-talking Belmadi as coach a year ago.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Monitoring Desk CAIRO Sadio Mane\u2019s Senegal and an Algeria side captained by Riyad Mahrez will attempt to secure their place in Africa Cup of Nations history in Friday\u2019s final in Cairo. Senegal, the 2002 runners-up, are desperate to end a long wait for a first continental title, while Algeria are looking to add to the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-75057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n