For 8th Time, 2 Teams Clash in Final after Group Encounter

Algeria will play Senegal in the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, currently held in Egypt. This final game will be the eighth such clash that copies the group stage confrontation as both teams belonged to Group C.

Both teams were pooled in Group C alongside Kenya and Tanzania. The Dessert Warriors defeated Teranga Lions with unanswered one goal scored by midfielder Youcef Belaïli.

Here are the seven such clashes:

The first such encounter was in 1968 AFCON, held in Ethiopia, where Ghana defeated DR Congo 2-1 in Group B clashes. Both teams met again in the final, but Leopards snatched a narrow victory over the Black Stars (1-0) to claim the title for the first and the last time in history.

The second such game was in 1982, hosted by Libya, where the hosts held a 2-2 draw with Ghana in Group A clashes. Both teams clashed once again in the final, but the Black Stars defeated the Mediterranean Knights 7-6 on penalties to achieve the trophy for the fourth time in their history.

Six years later, Nigeria faced Cameroon in 1988 tournament, held in Morocco, where they held a 2-2 draw in Group B clashes. Both teams qualified for the final and the Indomitable Lions pulled off an unanswered one-goal victory over the Super Eagles to claim their second title.

In the following tournament, Algeria opened their campaign in the 1990 tournament with an overwhelmed 5-1 win over Nigeria in the Group A encounter. The Desert Warriors defeated the Super Eagles again in the final with one goal.

In 2006, hosts Egypt crushed Ivory Coast with 3-1 in Group A games, before they met again in the final as the Pharaohs defeated the Elephants 4-2 on penalties following a goalless draw.

In the following tournament, holders Egypt began their defending campaign with an overwhelmed 4-2 win over Cameroon in Ghana. Both teams encountered again in the final and the Pharaohs repeated their win once again over the Indomitable Lions with unanswered one goal.

The last such clash was in 2013 AFCON, held in South Africa, where Nigeria held a 1-1 draw with Burkina Faso in the group stage clashes. The Super Eagles ended the final game against the Stallions with a 1-0 victory to claim the title.