Tunisia against Algeria for a 100% Maghreb final

The North African teams dominated the FIFA Arab Football Cup, which took place in Qatar, and will end with a 100% Maghreb final between Tunisia and Algeria, Saturday, December 18, one year behind. the final of the World Cup organized in this emirate of the Arabian Gulf.

The two teams won in extremis in the semi-finals against two behemoths of the round ball in the region, Tunisia victorious against Egypt (1-0) and Algeria having pushed the host country towards the exit (2-1).

The Eagles of Carthage and the Fennecs, reigning African champions, will meet in the final on Saturday in the coastal town of Al-Khor, the two selections having, like most teams, been cut off from their international stars.

The Algerians, who did not lose a game during the competition, had to do without Manchester City attacking midfielder Riyad Mahrez, while the Tunisians played without Saint-Etienne striker Wahbi Khazri.

“The strongest in the Arab world”

“It’s a sister country, a very experienced team. In all competitions, they are always in the semi-finals and finals, so they have this experience of going far ”Algerian coach Madjid Bougherra said.

“It’s going to be a great derby. I think Algeria is the team that faced the biggest teams during the tournament. (…) If we go to the end, it will be very, very deserved “, he added during a press conference after the semi-final against Qatar.

“It’s a pleasure that the Maghreb teams are currently the strongest in the Arab world”, he congratulated himself.

The tournament took place in six of the eight stadiums that will host matches in 2022, with the final taking place on Qatar’s National Day and one year to the day before the World Cup final.

Qatar will face Egypt earlier on Saturday for third place in the Arab Cup, the 10th edition of which was held for the first time under the auspices of FIFA.