Flames’ flicker of hope
The Flames should get some flicker of hope in Algeria’s playmaker Yacine Brahimi’s claim that the Desert Fennecs will not take the foot off the gas pedal in their remaining 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group B qualifiers.
Brahimi told Algeria’s Le Buteur newspaper that they would go for nothing short of wins at home against Ethiopia and Mali away on November 11 and 15 2014 respectively.
“We got the job done. We have officially qualified for the next Afcon and kept up a perfect record with four wins in as many games,” he is quoted as having said.
“We will approach our next two games with all due seriousness. We want to keep our 100 percent record. More wins would help us keep the momentum going and boost our confidence. We will do everything to make the Algerian people happy.”
If the Desert Fennecs, who have already sealed the Afcon berth, beat Ethiopia and Mali, the Flames could salvage something when also meeting the two teams.
Malawi host Mali on November 11 2014 at Kamuzu Stadium before travelling to Addis Ababa three days later. The Flames are bottom of the group with three points at par on points with third-placed Ethiopia whereas Mali are second on six points.
The three teams are fighting for the second slot to join Algeria at the finals. Overall third best team across all groups shall also make it to the 2015 finals. Algeria won 2-1 and 1-0 over Ethiopia and Mali in September.
Meanwhile, Ethiopia have received a blow following the sidelining for six weeks through a calf injury of their lethal striker Saladin Said last weekend while playing for his Egyptian club Al Ahlly in a win over Cameroon side, Cotton Sport, in a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final match.
Saladin was on the mark from the penalty sport when Ethiopia lost 1-2 to Algeria.
