<p>The Algeria national team’s preparations for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/africa-cup-of-nations-tv-schedule/">2023 Africa Cup of Nations</a> got off to an unusual start. The Fennec Foxes were training this week behind closed doors in the Ivory Coast city of Bouaké. Although no visitors were allowed during the sessions, a drone was seen flying over the team on Friday while they trained.</p>



<p>Video on social media eventually showed that the man flying the drone was questioned by police officers. </p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-12959027/Algeria-spying-drama-Africa-Cup-Nations-police-quiz-man-flew-drone-training-session.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DZ Foot</a></em> wrote that the pilot was a local man who works for an Algerian news outlet. A separate news source claimed that the drone operator was actually arrested for the incident.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/algeria-national-team-tv-schedule/">Algeria</a> head coach Djamel Belmadi clearly did not want any media attention during his training sessions at the tournament. This was also evident in the team’s two friendlies leading up to the massive competition. Algeria topped Togo 3-0 and Burundi 4-0 behind closed doors earlier this month as they prepared for a deep tournament run.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="593" height="535" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240113_WST_483243_drone_63ce1ec7.webp&amp;width=593&amp;height=535" alt="" class="wp-image-483266" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/drone.jpg 593w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/drone-300x271.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 593px) 100vw, 593px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Fennec Foxes one of the favorites to lift the trophy</h2>



<p>Algeria enters the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the top teams of the tournament. The team is currently 30th in the world on the <a href="https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/men" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIFA</a> rankings. This is the fourth-highest ranking of any team at the competition. </p>



<p><a href="https://www.oddschecker.com/us/soccer/africa-cup-of-nations/african-cup-of-nations/winner" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Betting websites</a> also generally give the Algerians the fourth-best odds to collect the trophy next month. Only <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/morocco-national-team-tv-schedule/">Morocco</a>, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/senegal-national-team-tv-schedule/">Senegal</a>, and the host nation of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/ivory-coast-national-team-tv-schedule/">Ivory Coast</a> currently have better odds to win the competition.</p>



<p>The Fennec Foxes are currently led by captain Riyad Mahrez. The winger previously starred for Premier League duo Leicester City and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> before joining Al-Ahli last summer. Mahrez previously led Algeria to the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations title. While the attacker did earn a spot in the team of the tournament, his teammate Ismael Bennacer eventually won the best player award.</p>



<p>Bennacer, Mahrez, and the rest of the Algeria team, will kick off their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations play against Angola on Monday, January 15th. Along with Angola, the Fennec Foxes will also face Burkina Faso and Mauritania in Group D. Algeria are favorites to top their group. After all, the team did not lose a single match in 2023 or the start of the current year.</p>



<h2>Tournament starts on Saturday and runs for one month</h2>



<p>Although Algeria don’t begin their campaign until Monday, the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations officially starts on Saturday, January 13th. Hosts Ivory Coast faces Guinea-Bissau at 3:00 PM (EST). The Elephants have a strong team that features stars such as Nicolas Pepe, Serge Aurier, Franck Kessie, and Sebastien Haller.</p>



<p>Senegal is the current reigning champions of the competition after beating Mohamed Salah’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/nations/egypt-national-team-tv-schedule/">Egypt</a> in 2021. The title match went to penalty kicks. However, the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/liverpool-tv-schedule/">Liverpool</a> star actually did not get to take part in the shootout.</p>



<p>2023 Africa Cup of Nations matches will be broadcast in the United States on <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/channels/bein-sports/">beIN SPORTS</a>. The sports channel is accessible on streaming services such as Fubo, Fanatiz, and Sling.</p>



<p>Photo credit: IMAGO / NurPhoto.</p>

Drone drama: Algeria practice spied on before Africa Cup opener

A drone interrupted an Algeria training session as they prepared for the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast


<p>Manchester City and Saudi Arabia club Al-Ahli agreed on a transfer fee of roughly $39 million for Riyad Mahrez.</p>



<p>The Algerian winger has been considering a transfer to the Saudi Pro League for some time now due to a very substantial contract offer. This summer, Al-Ahli has made many <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> transfers. For example, Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino joined the Saudi club.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://theathletic.com/4703640/2023/07/19/riyad-mahrez-al-ahli-transfer-manchester-city/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Athletic</a></em> reports that an agreement has been reached between <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> and Al-Ahli, confirming the player’s transfer to the Saudi club. They claim that the total value of the transaction will be $33 million, with an additional $6 million in potential add-ons.</p>



<h2>Riyad Mahrez agrees Al-Ahli move to Saudi Arabia</h2>



<p>On Thursday, Mahrez will undergo a medical examination before signing a three-year deal with an additional year’s option. No question, the 32-year-old will be a difficult player to replace. </p>



<p>For instance, he was consistently ruthless in the Premier League last year. He contributed a goal every 128 minutes. In a total of 30 Premier League games last year, he contributed 15 goals for his team.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Riyad Mahrez was the first African player to win five Premier League titles 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 <a href="https://t.co/OghIczyKYZ">pic.twitter.com/OghIczyKYZ</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1681702946872909824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 19, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<h5>Manchester City hasfound his replacement</h5>



<p>Manchester City will have a hard time finding a player with such stats. Yet, it already has a process of naming a potential replacement for Mahrez. As a result, the newest rumors have City targeting Barcelona winger Raphinha as its ‘primary’ signing.</p>



<p>The Brazilian winger has Premier League experience following two successful seasons with Leeds United. He joined <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> for $70 million last summer and has excelled ever since. His first season in La Liga was impressive, as he contributed seven goals and seven assists.</p>



<p>The Athletic adds that the Citizens have a contingency plan to sign a winger after Mahrez’s imminent departure. Nevertheless, the club is resolute in its desire to retain Bernardo Silva. Al-Hilal and other Saudi Arabian clubs are interested in the Portuguese player.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Gonzales Photo</em></p>


Pep Guardiola believes that a Barcelona star will be the perfect alternative when Manchester City sanction a treble-winner departure.

Another treble winner leaves City, his successor lies at Barcelona


<p>Riyad Mahrez scored a phenomenal hat-trick as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/manchester-city-tv-schedule/">Manchester City</a> secured their place in the FA Cup Final. The Blues beat Sheffield United 3-0 at Wembley on Saturday afternoon. This is the first time that Pep Guardiola’s side have reached the final of the tournament since 2019. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">MAN CITY ARE THROUGH TO THE FA CUP FINAL 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/X3opCJ4eEc">pic.twitter.com/X3opCJ4eEc</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1649829818744143877?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>City await the winner of <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> and Brighton who square off against each at the same venue on Sunday.</p>



<p>Sheffield United started the game brightly and almost scored after just 90 seconds. However, apart from their bright start the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/championship-tv-schedule/">Championship</a> outfit hardly troubled Stefan Ortega’s goal. The Blades defended admirably in the first half, limiting City’s free-flowing rhythm with resolute defending.</p>



<p>However, Paul Heckingbottom’s side were then guilty of undoing all of their good work. Daniel Jebbison lunged at Ilkay Gundogan right on the stroke of half-time to give away a cheap penalty. Riyad Mahrez stepped up to give Manchester City the lead.</p>



<h2>Riyad Mahrez ran the show in the second-half</h2>



<p>City dominated proceedings in the second half, hardly breaking a sweat. Pep Guardiola’s side then made their superiority count when Mahrez scored his second on the hour.</p>



<p>The Algerian received the ball in the final third and with Erling Haaland making a clever decoy run. The 32-year-old then ran at the Blades defense and poked the ball beyond Wes Foderingham.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Riyad Mahrez has a brace in the FA Cup semifinals! 🤩 <a href="https://t.co/qaguvxOT7z">pic.twitter.com/qaguvxOT7z</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1649823276531580929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>Five minutes later Mahrez completed his hat-trick following a fine City move. Jack Grealish cut inside and squared a pass across the face of goal to the Algerian and he duly added the finish. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">HAT TRICK FOR RIYAD MAHREZ AT WEMBLEY 🔥 <a href="https://t.co/RK8VGjZ8wj">pic.twitter.com/RK8VGjZ8wj</a></p>— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNFC/status/1649824787009503233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 22, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>City almost grabbed a fourth in stoppage time when substitute Phil Foden laid on a perfect pass it for Julian Alvarez, but the Argentine dragged his shot wide.</p>



<h2>Manchester City looking for defensive perfection in FA Cup Final</h2>



<p>Sheffield United barely strung any attacking moves together with the game already over but the Championship side can look back on their run to Wembley with pride.</p>



<p>City, however, become the first side to reach the FA Cup final <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/dominant-manchester-city-achieve-fa-cup-defensive-milestone-not-seen-since-1965-66/bltf71aa73966dc5093" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">without conceding</a> a goal since Everton in the 1965/66 season.</p>



<p>The reigning <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> Champions now turn their attention to Wednesday when they host league leaders <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/arsenal-tv-schedule/">Arsenal</a> at the Etihad Stadium.</p>



<p>Photo credit: <strong>IMAGO / Pro Sports Images</strong></p>


Riyad Mahrez scored a fantastic hat-trick to help Manchester City past Sheffield United and into the FA Cup Final

Drone drama: Algeria practice spied on before Africa Cup opener

AFCON

Drone drama: Algeria practice spied on before Africa Cup opener

Leagues: EPL

Another treble winner leaves City, his successor lies at Barcelona

FA Cup

Riyad Mahrez hat-trick helps Man City seal FA Cup Final spot