Algeria
# Ryad Boudebouz succeeded in registering the most spectacular goal of the season in France, a lob from the centre-circle, 45 meters away, which surprised the unfortunate goalkeeper.
# Algeria’s captain and defensive midfielder Medhi Lacen (pictured right) played in all three of Algeria’s 2010 World Cup group stage matches.
# Under coach Halilhodzic’s command, Algeria has won eight matches and lost only one heading into the Africa Cup of Nations. It was 19th in Fifa’s world rankings in December, the best ever for the nation. It’s currently ranked 22nd.
Ivory Coast
# Their best moment of international football was during the 1992 African Cup of Nations in Senegal, where they won the trophy on penalties against an Abedi Pele-less Ghanaian side and an amazing Alain Gouamene. They never managed to get the tournament-winning alchemy since then, though, and the clock seems to be running out for this generation.
# Abidjan is the biggest port in West Africa, and much of the world’s best produce leaves its shores.
# Have all their fans mixed up with Netherlands fans as they also move dipped in orange from head-to-toe.
# Getting out of the group stages is expected from them, and making it to the quarter-finals will definitely be an objective for the Elephants as well. With this much quality on paper they should at least go further than they did in Germany.
Read also:
http://en.africatopsports.com/2013/01/26/afcon-2013-agassa-man-of-the-2nd-match-algeria-0-2-togo/