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By Augustine AkhilomenLagos — Group B leaders, Algeria, is not under pressure as the team faces Ethiopia at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker today in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
The Desert Foxes sits top of the group with 12 points having recorded 100% in all the four matches. Qualification is already guaranteed with two matches to spare.
Ethiopia with three points has all to play for in order to pick the second group ticket. Algeria began Ethiopia's poor run with a 2-1 defeat in Addis Ababa. But Ethiopia shocked Mali away 3-2 despite losing 0-2 at home in the first leg. This means Ethiopia confidence has been restored with the away victory over Mali hence it might achieve same with Algeria today.
But Algerian national team coach, Christian Gourcuff, said on Tuesday that his goal is to "win all the matches," even if the level of such tournaments is quite different from the qualifiers.
"I will not stick to the goal set in the contract I signed with the Algerian Football Association (FAF), as we will compete in the next tournament with the firm determination to win all the games," the coach said. This will make this match tough for Ethiopia.
In the other group match, second placed Mali with six points will be guest of third place Malawi (3 points). Mali would have been guaranteed a ticket if not for the 2-3 loss to Ethiopia at home, after winning the first leg 2-0 away. Mali chances of qualifying depends on winning today since it is not guaranteed a win against Algeria in its last group match next Wednesday.
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