Algeria falls, a terrible blunder costs the victory to the Ivorians, Khazri is a hit with Tunisia … What to remember from Sunday’s matches

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The 2022 Africa Cup of Nations continues and, on Sunday January 16, the defending champion lost for his second match in the competition. Faced with Equatorial Guinea, Algeria was surprised on the counter after the hour mark (0-1) and jeopardized its chances of seeing the round of 16.

Côte d’Ivoire thought they could hold their success against Sierra Leone but on a lawn in a deplorable state, they had to concede a draw (2-2) in the last seconds after an error – and a serious injury – from their goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangare. In Group F, Wahbi Khazri and Tunisia made short work of Mauritania (4-0), while Gambia and Mali could not decide (1-1).

Voluntary but ineffective, Algeria surprised by Equatorial Guinea

End of series for the Fennecs. After 35 consecutive games without defeat, Riyad Mahrez’s teammates fell on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea (0-1) for their second match in this CAN 2022. More offensive than when they entered the competition against Sierra Leone (0-0), the title holders lacked realism and were surprised on a counter.

Two minutes would almost be enough to sum up the disarray experienced by Djamel Belmadi’s men at the Japoma stadium: in the 67th minute, Youcef Belaïli was very close to opening the scoring after a free kick combination but his shot, deflected, went for a corner. On this new set piece, the Algerians are on the verge of taking back a ball badly repelled by the Equatoguinean goalkeeper Jesus Owono – yet excellent this Sunday.

The leather is recovered by Equatorial Guinea and on the counter, Ramy Bensebaini dismisses the danger of accuracy in a corner on a good cross. On this new kick stopped in the space of 60 seconds, it is the defender Esteban Obiang who comes to conclude with a flat foot at the far post (1-0, 69th).

Algeria tried a lot, but did not succeed offensively. The last seconds will be incredibly intense but neither Islam Slimani, nor Youcef Belaïli, nor Youcef Atal will manage to save the Fennecs. With only one point on the clock, it will be necessary to go for the victory against Côte d’Ivoire, next Thursday at 5 p.m., so as not to leave the CAN prematurely.

Penalty missed, nice goals and Serge Aurier as goalkeeper: a crazy match between Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone

There was everything this Sunday at the Japoma stadium in Douala. All the ingredients that make a CAN match a special match. Faced with Sierra Leone, who had held the Algerian defending champion in check for their entry into the competition (0-0), thanks in particular to an exceptional performance by their goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara, Côte d’Ivoire knew they were expected.

However, the Elephants took the match by the right end by obtaining a penalty in the 12th minute, but Franck Kessié had already fallen on the Sierra Leonean strongman. It will be necessary to wait for the 25th minute to see the top scorer of the current Champions League, Sébastien Haller, give the advantage to his team (1-0, 25th).

Upon returning from the locker room, Patrice Beaumelle’s players were surprised at the start by Moussa Kamara, who equalized with a heavy shot under the bar (1-1, 55th). But 10 minutes later, with a perfectly rolled flat foot, Nicolas Pépé put his own in front (2-1, 65th).

While the Ivorian victory was looming despite having several missed opportunities to afford the goal of the break, on a harmless header in the direction of goalkeeper Badra Ali Sangaré, the latter was guilty of a terrible handling error which offered the equalizer to Alhaji Kamara (2-2, 95th). A fault of hand explainable by a bad support and a blocking of the knee on a lawn in a very borderline state. The five changes already made, it was Serge Aurier, the captain, who ended the game in goal.

With four points, the Elephants retain the lead in group E. Sierra Leone, surprised at the start of CAN, has not said its last word (3rd with 2 points).

Wahbi Khazri and Tunisia power 4

In Group F, Tunisia got off to a good start by beating Mauritania (4-0) on Sunday in Limbe and can still hope for qualification. Defeated by Mali (1-0) in a match at the incredible end, which had not lasted 90 minutes, the Carthage Eagles took the lead, without waiting, and first scored two goals in nine minutes, history to be reassured. Hamza Mathlouthi, the Zamalek player, opened the scoring with a superb cross shot from the right, half-volley (1-0, 4th).

It was then Wahbi Khazri, the playmaker of AS Saint-Étienne, well served in the area, who took his time to adjust Diop with a tight shot from the right, low to the ground, allowing the Tunisia to break (2-0, 9th).

The second period allowed the Carthage Eagles to add to the score in two minutes, thanks to the insatiable Khazri. First after a nice one-two with Chaaleli, concluded by the double of the brilliant number 10 of the Greens (3-0, 64th). Then thanks to a perfect pass, in the axis, from the same Khazri for Seifeddine Jaziri (4-0, 66th). The penalty missed at the end of the match by the Tunisian captain Youssef Msakni will only be anecdotal.

If Mauritania is definitively eliminated after this second setback, Tunisia will play its qualification next Thursday against Gambia (8 p.m.), which was held in check against Mali (1-1) in the dying seconds.


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