By James Robert Kayindi
Former champions of the Africa cup nations in the group of death (Group C ) will clash today when Bafana Bafana of South Africa entertain the desert foxes of Algeria in Mongomo, Equatorial Guinea.
Both sides are one-time winners of the tourney. Ranked as Africa’s number one and 18th in the world, Algeria are tipped to be title favorites in this year’s AFCON. The desert foxes won the title back in 1990 when they hosted the event while South Africa claimed it six years later when they hosted it in 1996.
Algeria now come to take on an in-form South Africa who are on a 12-match unbeaten run not forgetting the fact that they eliminated the defending champions, Nigeria to book their slot at the this year’s tourney. South Africa seem very ready for their first test after head coach Shakes Mashaba named his starting lineup earlier today.
Bafana XI: Keet, Ngcongca, Matlaba, Hlatshwayo, Coetzee, Furman, Jali, Manyisa, Phala, Vilakazi, Rantie.
Subs: Mabokgwane, Khuzwayo, Gcaba, Sangweni, Zwane, Masango, Zungu, Parker, Nhlapho, Ndulula.
Elsewhere, four time champions Ghana will take on the Lions of Teranga from Senegal in the other Group C match opener. Senegal have never won this title but the strength and depth in their squad cannot be under mined.
Ghana vs Senegal @7:00pm
Algeria vs South Africa @10:00pm
Email Robert: Robert.k.circles@gmail.com
