5 reasons Algeria can win the AFCON 2017

Modified Jan 05, 2017 08:26 GMT

RUSTENBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 22: Algeria fans during the 2013 Orange African Cup of Nations match between Tunisia and Algeria at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on January 22, 2012 in Rustenburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images/Getty Images) — Algeria are one of the favourites for the tournament

#4 Islam Slimani and El Arbi Hillel Soudani

PORTO ALEGRE, BRAZIL - JUNE 30: El Arbi Hillel Soudani of Algeria controls the ball as Per Mertesacker of Germany gives chase during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Round of 16 match between Germany and Algeria at Estadio Beira-Rio on June 30, 2014 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) — Soudani was the top scorer in the qualifiers.

At 28 and 29 years of age, Slimani & Soudani are 6^th and 7^th on the list of all-time highest goalscorers for the national team. What’s remarkable though is the rate at which both score goals – Slimani’s 23 in 47 games & Soudani’s 21 in 39 games – implying that on average Algeria are virtually assured a goal per game.

Soudani’s consistency is remarkable as seen by his 45 goals in 92 league appearances for current club Dinamo Zagreb and the 7 goals he scored in 6 qualifiers to be the top scorer. Slimani wasn’t far behind with 4 goals himself, and this deadly duo will form the backbone of Algeria’s hopes.

Edited by Staff Editor