Algeria are fourth-favourites to win the Africa Cup of Nations 2023 and will look to make a statement to their rivals against Angola on Monday. Angola will not be an easy nut to crack however, and have not lost in their last five games, only conceding two. As such here are our Algeria vs Angola first goalscorer predictions.
Algeria vs Angola first goalscorer odds
The first goal in this game will be crucial. Angola scoring would allow them to sit off and hit on the break, while Algeria breaking the deadlock would force Angola to come out and attack.
Mohamed Amoura – 4/1
The bookies’ favourite to net the opener in this clash is 23-year-old Union St Gilloise striker, Mohamed Amoura. The Algerian replaced now-Bayer Leverkusen man Victor Boniface over the summer, and has excelled, scoring 13 in 15 games in the league, plus another two in the Europa League. Amoura scored from the bench in their most recent friendly against Burundi, and will be desperate to prove his mettle at AFCON. He has nine goals in 20 appearances for his country.
Baghdad Bounedjah – 9/2
Should Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi opt for more experience leading the line. Baghdad Bounedjah is the logical choice. The 32-year-old has never played in Europe, but has had a phenomenal career at Qatari giants Al-Sadd.
On top of his 24 Algeria goals in 49 appearances, Bounedjah has scored 190 in 215 appearances for Al-Sadd. A key part of Algeria’s 2019 AFCON win, Bounedjah will be watching his back with Amoura looking a viable alternative to him, and may need to score to keep the younger man taking his spot.
Delson Gala – 12/1
Turning our attention to Angola, goalscoring midfielder Delson Gala is most likely to score. Like Bounedjah, the 27-year-old plies his trade in Qatar, but for Al-Wakrah. In 63 games for his current club, he has scored an astonishing 39 goals, an excellent return for a midfielder.
The former Sporting Club de Portugal man has scored eight goals in his 12 international appearances, and if Angola are to take something from this game, they will likely need their star midfielder to produce a goal from deep.
Riyad Mahrez – 5/1
Treble winner Riyad Mahrez has been nothing short of outstanding for his nation since his 2014 debut. Mahrez was the driving force behind Algeria’s 2019 AFCON win, and a goal at this tournament will crown him as Algeria’s all-time top scorer at AFCON.
The 32-year-old is now enjoying playing for Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, with eight goals and seven assists in 19 appearances, having left Manchester City after a five year stay.
Mahrez is a former African Player of the Year, and is one of the biggest talents at AFCON. He is a genuine difference maker on the pitch. If Algeria are desperate for a goal, their captain may well be the one to provide it.
Houssem Aouar – 10/1
Another of Algeria’s most talented players is Roma midfielder Houssem Aouar. But the 25-year-old comes into this tournament in very different circumstances to Mahrez. Aouar, despite his age and former wonderkid status, only switched his international allegiance from France to Algeria in May of last year.
Aouar has started to find his feet again after a sour ending to his time at his boyhood club, Lyon. At his best, Aouar can escape even the trickiest situations with evasive dribbling, can punch passes between the lines, contribute defensively and weigh in with vital goals and assists.
Aouar will be desperate to prove his worth to his ancestral nation, having made the majority of his appearances from the bench so far. There would be no better way to announce himself as an Algerian star than by netting his nation’s first goal of AFCON 2023.
