Algeria shock Senegal, move into AFCON Round of 16

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Desert Warrior of Algeria have beaten one of African Cup of Nation, AFCON, favourites, Senegal 1-0 to move into the Round of 16 in Egypt.

The only goal of the match was scored in the 49th minute of the game through Youcef Belaili.

It was a superb work from Sofiane Feghouli, who played a vital role in the build-up. He squared it to Belaili, who beat Edouard Osoque Mendy with a brilliant shot into the left side of the net to make it 1-0 for the Algerians.

On 60th minute, Baghdad Bounedjah was furious with himself as he missed a clear opportunity from the six-yard box. He sent a rebound a few inches wide of the left post.

On 71st minute, the opposition backed off Riyad Mahrez and he lashed in a shot from the edge of the box that just flied a whisker wide of the left post. He was very unlucky not to have doubled Algeria’s advantage.

Senegal’s Mbaye Diagne wasted a golden opportunity from inside the 6-yard box on 80th minute. He pounced on a rebound but headed the ball just wide off the right post.

On added time, Senegal got a corner kick. The corner was swung into the box by Henri Saivet. Sadio Mane climbed highest but could not keep his close-range header down and sent it way over the bar into the crowd.

Senegal, with 54 percent ball possession to Algeria’s 46 percent could not dent the the Desert Warrior’s disciplined defence line.

With 11 goal attempt, Senegal could only garner two shots on target, while Algeria, with eight goal attempt had two shots on target.