NAIROBI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- With Senegal and Algeria set to face off in the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday, there is also a personal battle between both sides' coaches as to who will join the elites to have led a team to glory in the continent's biggest football competition.
In its previous 31 editions, only 11 Africans have had the privilege of lifting the AFCON trophy, and on Friday, two former internationals, who missed out on lifting the title in their playing days, will be jostling to join the exclusive club.
With no foreign coaches left in the contest, it is a foregone conclusion that the 2019 AFCON will see an African coach crowned champion.
Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi and Senegal's Aliou Cisse are competing for the holy grail of African football, and one of them will join the prestigious list of African coaches to have led sides to continental glory.
"Over 32 editions of Africa's showpiece football tournament, this is just the fifth final that witnesses two local (African) coaches at the helm of the finalists' technical staff. Just four times before the final was an All-African coaches' affair," read a statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
