This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, Algeria secured their second Africa Cup of Nations title with a 1-0 victory over Senegal in the final. This marked the end of a 29-year wait for the team.
AFP Sport highlights the standout performers of the tournament, including Madagascar, who emerged as the surprise team of the tournament with a fairytale run to the quarter-finals.
Madagascar's players celebrate their win during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations round of 16 match against DR Congo at the Alexandria Stadium on July 7, 2019. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE | AFP
Coach Nicolas Dupuis led the team, which was largely comprised of players from the French lower leagues. They stunned African giants Nigeria in the group stage and extended their remarkable adventure with a memorable penalty shootout victory over DR Congo in the last 16.
However, the team found Tunisia a "step too high" to surmount after four games without defeat.
Algeria's coach Djamel Belmadi is carried shoulder high by his players after winning the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final against Senegal at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on July 19, 2019. PHOTO | GIUSEPPE CACACE | AFP
Belmadi inherited a talented but troubled Algeria squad and rebuilt it into a championship-calibre team. He took over a side that failed to advance from the 2017 group stage and endured a woeful World Cup qualifying bid.
Former Cup of Nations-winning coach Claude Le Roy labelled Algeria "Guardiolaesque" in terms of organisation, and the Desert Foxes proved worthy champions, twice defeating the top-ranked nation in Africa to capture the title.
