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Match preview for Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
Equatorial Guinea Confronting group leaders Algeria Wednesday evening in the final Group E fixture of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
While Algeria have already secured qualification for the round of 16 with maximum points, the stakes are high for Equatorial Guinea, who need a positive result and favorable results elsewhere to keep their slim hopes of progression alive.
Equatorial Guinea reached the final stage of the group after a difficult campaign in Morocco, failing to convert an encouraging spell into tangible results.
That pattern was evident in their opening match against Burkina Faso, where a late Marvin Anyeboh goal briefly put them in front before losing 2–1 twice in stoppage time, despite playing much of the second half with a numerical advantage.
Their situation worsened with a 1-0 defeat to Sudan on Sunday, as Saul Coco’s unlucky second-half own goal proved decisive in Casablanca.
That back-to-back defeat leaves Equatorial Guinea bottom of Group E with zero points, meaning they need to beat Algeria and improve on a poor goal difference to have any chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams.
Historically, Equatorial Guinea’s strongest AFCON performance came in 2015, when they reached the semi-finals as hosts of the tournament, but recent form has shown their inconsistency at the continental level.
In their last six competitive matches, they have scored seven goals while conceding just three while underlining the offensive improvement needed to trouble Algeria.
Meetings between the two nations are relatively rare, although Equatorial Guinea famously beat Algeria during the 2021 AFCON group stage before drawing twice and losing once in subsequent encounters.
Algeria, in contrast, arrived in Rabat with momentum with strength on their side, having secured qualification with two wins from two matches.
The Desert Warriors opened their campaign with a commanding 3-0 win over Sudan, with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice, before a hard-fought 1-0 win over Burkina Faso thanks to Mahrez’s penalty.
Under Vladimir Petkovic, Algeria have shown tactical control and efficiency, while showing their ability to manage tight matches when needed with a narrow win over Burkina Faso.
Mahrez has been central to their attacking output, extending his record as Algeria’s all-time leading AFCON scorer and topping the tournament’s scoring charts so far.
Team news for Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
Equatorial Guinea head coach Juan Micha may be forced to make changes following injuries to Santiago Anime and Pedro Obiang, who were both withdrawn in the defeat to Sudan.
Basilio Ndong remains suspended following his red card against Burkina Faso, while Pablo Gannett and Josette Miranda could return to the starting XI.
With goals in short supply, veteran forward Emilio Nsu could be recalled to the lineup after starting recent matches on the bench.
Algeria are monitoring minor fitness concerns for Jouen Hadjam and Samir Chergui, but neither issue is considered serious.
With top spot already secured, Petkovic is expected to rotate his squad, potentially handing chances to the likes of Adil Boulbina, Anis Hadj Moussa, Fares Chaibi and Ramiz Zerouqi, while Anthony Mendrea could start in goal.
Expected line-ups for Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria
of Owono; Recovered, Orozco, Coco, Aileh; Mascaral, Gains, Machine; Salvador, Miranda, Nsuse
Algeria: Mandreya; Belghali, Mandi, Bensebaini, Ait-Nouri; Zeroki, Bulbina, Chibi; Moussa, Amoura, Bounejah
How to Watch Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria: TV Channel, Stream Online
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 16:00 GMT (11:00 ET / 08:00 PT). Lives in the UK AFCON 2025 There is coverage on Channel 4 Sport’s YouTube channel. In the USA, beIN is a sports tournament broadcaster.
Online live streaming by is available on a wide range of devices Channel 4 website and app and the beIN Sports app.
Equatorial Guinea vs Algeria Statistics
• Equatorial Guinea have lost both their Group E matches at AFCON 2025
• Equatorial Guinea have scored zero goals in two group-stage fixtures
• Equatorial Guinea have conceded three goals in their AFCON campaign
• Equatorial Guinea have won just one of their last six competitive matches
• Algeria have won both their AFCON group games without conceding from open play
• Algeria have kept two clean sheets in their last three AFCON matches
• Riyad Mahrez has scored three goals in two matches at AFCON 2025
• Algeria have won five of their last six matches in all competitions
guess
Equatorial Guinea
2
–
2
Algeria
Equatorial Guinea have everything to play for and know that only a win will keep their knockout-stage hopes alive, which could lead to a more open contest than expected.
With Algeria likely to rotate and give fringe players a chance, Nzalange Nacional may have room to exploit, but the Desert Warriors still have enough quality to respond, making a high-scoring draw a realistic outcome.
Bet here
