Algeria Cage Teranga Lions To Become Two-Time AFCON Champions
20th July 2019
It was the first title-decider to feature two African coaches since 1998
- Baghdad Bounedjah's early goal propelled Algeria to a first Africa Cup of Nations title in 29 years after a fiery 1-0 victory over Sadio Mane's Senegal in Friday's final in Cairo
- Bounedjah gave Algeria a dream start in the second minute when his deflected shot looped over Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, and it proved enough for the 1990 champions to lift the trophy on foreign soil for the first time
- Senegal had understandably feared the absence of Napoli star Koulibaly, banned after two bookings in the knockout rounds, although the towering Sane was desperately unlucky as Algeria grabbed the lead with scarcely a minute played
CAIRO, Egypt-
Baghdad Bounedjah's early goal propelled Algeria to a first Africa Cup of
Nations title in 29 years after a fiery 1-0 victory over Sadio Mane's Senegal
in Friday's final in Cairo.
Bounedjah gave
Algeria a dream start in the second minute when his deflected shot looped over
Senegal goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, and it proved enough for the 1990 champions to
lift the trophy on foreign soil for the first time.
For Senegal, who
lost to Algeria by the same scoreline in the group stage, the long wait for a
first continental crown goes on as coach Aliou Cisse, the captain of the 2002
runners-up, again fell short in the final.
It was the first
title-decider to feature two African coaches since 1998, with Algeria boss
Djamel Belmadi completing a whirlwind 12 months at the helm after inheriting a
side that failed to make it out of the group stage two years ago.
With defensive rock
Kalidou Koulibaly suspended for Senegal, Salif Sane deputised at the back and
Ismaila Sarr was recalled in attack, while Belmadi kept faith in the same side
that overcame Nigeria with an injury-time free-kick from Riyad Mahrez.
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Senegal had
understandably feared the absence of Napoli star Koulibaly, banned after two
bookings in the knockout rounds, although the towering Sane was desperately
unlucky as Algeria grabbed the lead with scarcely a minute played.
As Bounedjah took
aim from 20 yards his effort smacked off Sane and arced high into the air
before dropping underneath the crossbar and beyond a static Gomis, sparking
delirious celebrations from both players and fans, some of whom arrived for the
final on military planes provided by the Algerian government.
- Half-time skirmish -
It was the first
time Gomis had conceded in almost 400 minutes in Egypt having replaced the
injured Edouard Mendy ahead of Senegal's final group game.
Henri Saivet, who
missed a penalty in the 1-0 victory over Tunisia, tried to catch Rais Mbohli
out with a free-kick while Mbaye Niang fizzed a powerful drive just over as
Senegal gradually showed signs of life before the half ended with both sets of
players embroiled in a scuffle as they headed for the tunnel.
Senegal thought they
had won a penalty on the hour when Cameroonian referee Alioum Alioum pointed to
the spot for a suspected handball by Adlene Guedioura, but the official
reversed his decision after a VAR review.
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Niang rounded an
advancing Mbohli after a searching ball through from Cheikhou Kouyate but the
forward sliced wide of the target from a tough angle, with the Algeria 'keeper
then acrobatically tipping over a rasping drive from Youssouf Sabaly.
The Desert Foxes
started to look jaded as Senegal brought on fresh legs in Krepin Diatta and
Mbaye Diagne, but Youcef Belaili nearly made it 2-0 when his cross brushed the
head of a defender and skimmed the roof of the net.
Sarr blazed over on
the volley as Algeria clung on to their advantage in the closing minutes, the
final whistle greeted by an outpouring of raw emotion as the North Africans
emerged worthy winners of the expanded 24-team event.