Africa Cup of Nations

AFCON 2023 Day 8 Reviews: North Africa giants Algeria, Tunisia falter in uninspiring draws as Angola goes top of Group D

768

(Made In Africa Sport) – The Fennec Foxes of Algeria fought hard to share the spoils in a 2 – 2 draw against the Stallions of Burkina Faso, even as their North African neighbours Tunisia scraped only one point against Mali at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium. Both teams have been tipped for the finalist spot in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire, but two opening draws leave the North Africans in the third spots of their respective groups, alongside a mountain pile of pressure going into matchday 3.

The Algerians started on the front foot, as Baghdad Bounedjah squandered two chances to put the Fennec Foxes ahead. It was the Burkinabes who took the lead first, as Abdoul Tapsoba’s deep searching cross found Mohamed Konate in the six-yard box and the striker made no mistake in directing it past Anthony Mandrea for Burkina Faso’s opener.

The goal came in just before half-time, but the Algerians took only five minutes after the restart to secure an equalizer, Bounedjah bundling in a rebound after Hervie Koffi spilled a set-piece header. The Stallions kept up their pressure and got a penalty awarded after a brief VAR check in the 71st minute. Bertrand Traore sent Mandrea the wrong way as Burkina Faso re-established their lead. However, it was Algeria that had the last laugh, as Bounedjah headed home from a stoppage-time corner to hold on to a point at the Bouake Stadium.

The Eagles of Tunisia were less impressive in their AFCON 2023 Group E fixture against Mali, as their determination and liveliness lasted only the opening 45 minutes. Anis Slimane swung in a free-kick for Tunisia in the opening minutes, but the Malian Djigui Diarra was equal to the shot. It was Lassine Sinayoko who opened the scoring, putting his side ahead in the 10th minute with a well-placed shot. The Eagles responded with a series of attacks, eventually getting their respite ten minutes later, as Ali Abdi played in a superb cut-back to set Hamza Rafia up for a tap-in.

The second half saw less drama, as Mali’s constant press lacked end-product and the Tunisians seemed to be penned in for most of the game. The match ended without more goals, and Tunisia slipped to the third spot, although results from the South Africa versus Namibia match later today will determine what Group E looks like going into the final group stage matchday.

Angola made their way to the top of Group D, securing a 3 – 2 win over Mauritania in a keenly contested encounter. Agostinho Mabululu and Ibnou Ba went close to scoring in the opening 25 minutes, but it was Gelson Dala that put the Angolans ahead in the 30th minute from a volley following a corner kick. Sidi Bouna-Amar finished off a brilliant solo run for Les Bleus in the 43rd minute, scoring Mauritania’s first AFCON goal from open play. Omare Gassama looked to get on the scoresheet with a screamer from distance, but the Angolan goalie Adilson Neblu had none of that.

Gilberto also came close to restoring the lead for Angola before half-time, but the winger was wasteful, skying his effort over a gaping goal, after Babacar Niasse parried Gelson Dala’s shot. The second half saw the Angolans retake the lead, as Dala chipped a delicate finish past Niasse after a mazing solo run in the 50th minute. Gilberto joined his compatriot on the scoresheet three minutes after, keeping a counter alive before rifling in a left-footed shot, courtesy of a deflection.

Mauritania kept their opponents on their toes, as Aboubakary Koita cut past a defender before finding the back of the net from about 30 yards out in the 58th minute, offering Les Bleus a lifeline back into the game. Both teams huffed and puffed for the rest of the game, each looking to add to their tally but the final score remained 3 – 2 to Angola, who sit atop the Group D standings, with bright hopes for qualification.

The AFCON 2023 has been nothing short of exciting, marred slightly by the stadium attendance. But that has done little to affect the online following, as many European football events have been sidelined in lieu of the African tournament. Mo Salah may yet see some AFCON action, as updates from the Egyptian FA state that the winger will miss two AFCON matches. The Pharaohs will be missing their talisman for their game against Cape Verde and the subsequent round of 16 fixture, if they progress to the knockout.

Up next in the AFCON 2023 schedule is South Africa against Namibia to complete Group E action, while Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Tanzania finish up the matchday 2 games.

 

Oluwasegun Itakorode

itakorode

Leave a Reply