AFCON 2019: KENYA BATTLE ALGERIA IN A BIG TEST

Cairo, EGYPT
Algeria will take on Kenya in a group C 2019 Africa Cup of Nations clash at 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday evening.

Kick-off is at 10.00 pm CAT (11.00pm EAT)

The Desert Foxes qualified for a fourth successive Afcon tournament after finishing top of their qualifying group. The North African's head into this year's tournament under the radar following two underwhelming performances at back-to-back tournaments.

Algeria crashed out at the group stages two years ago, having suffered a quarterfinal exit in Equatorial Guinea two years prior.

The 1990 champions were among the favourites at both the previous two tournaments, but having plummeted down the world rankings over the last few years. They head into this year's showpiece as outside contenders for the crown.

With the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Yacine Brahimi and Sofiane Feghouli still at their disposal, Algeria boast one of the strongest teams in the competition despite being ranked in 12th place on the continent in the latest Fifa rankings.

Kenya booked their Afcon ticket to Egypt having finished behind Ghana in qualifying. The Harambee Stars, who are skippered by Tottenham Hotspur's Victor Wanyama, make a return to Africa's showpiece for the first time in 15 years.

Ranked at 105th in the world, below the likes of Mauritania and Niger, Kenya are outside favourites to advance to the knockout stages in a group that also includes Senegal and Tanzania.

Wanyama, though, has warned the country's rivals to undermine the East Africans at their peril.

"We are viewed as underdogs but football has changed and teams have proved that before," said Wanyama.

"We respect our opponents a lot but it will not be easy for them at all. It’s a motivation for us to be in the finals and we are looking to give a good account of ourselves.

"It’s an opportunity for us to learn more from the finals." - Africa