AFCON

Despite Late Equaliser Algeria No Win Streak At Cup Of Nations Stretches To Five Matches –

Published

8 months ago

January 20, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Despite Late Equaliser Algeria No Win Streak At Cup Of Nations Stretches To Five Matches -

Since beating Senegal in Cairo in the 2019 final match, Algeria are yet to win a match at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The no-win streak stretches to five on Saturday after escaping from defeat and drew 2-2 with Burkina Faso.

Algeria netted a stoppage-time equaliser to escape defeat at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Saturday in a 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso in Group D in Bouake that spared the 2019 champions a major setback at the tournament.

Baghdad Bounedjah netted from a corner five minutes into stoppage time at the end to ensure his side a share of the spoils and deny Burkina Faso early progress to the next stage.

Bounedjah scored both Algeria’s goals while Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traore netted for the Burkinabe, who remain top of the group on four points compared with two for Algeria.

Burkina Faso came desperately close to a smash-and-grab victory that would have seen them through to the last-16 with a guaranteed top two finish. They were under pressure for much of the match but had two VAR decisions go in their favour.

Algeria failed to take their first-half opportunities, with Youcef Belaili wasteful as Burkinabe goalkeeper Herve Koffi looked nervous and twice cleared balls straight to the Algerians and was fortunate they did could not finish.

Almost inevitably, Burkina scored with a rare attack in stoppage time at the end of the first half as a long ball from Abdoul Fessal Tapsoba went over the Algerian defence and was headed homed by a leaping Konate. The whistle was immediately blown for offside, but a VAR check went in Konate’s favour.

Algeria equalised in the 51st minute when a free kick was partially blocked and fell for Nabil Bentaleb, whose shot was parried by the goalkeeper down to the feet of Bounedjah, who recovered quickly to sweep the ball in from close range.

Burkina Faso’s lead was restored from the penalty spot in 71st minute by substitute Traore, who had also netted a stoppage time penalty for a 1-0 win over Mauritania in their first Group D game.

It was another VAR check that went Burkina’s way, revealing a wild tackle by Rayan Ait Nouri on Issa Kabore. The referee had not given the kick but replays showed Ait Nouri had missed the ball as he attempted to clear and caught Kabore on the shin.

A corner late in the game delivered relief for Algeria as Bounedjah leaped up to head home from the set piece.

“I have confidence in my players, they came back with the same determination, what we are missing is being more killer (instinct),” said Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi afterwards.

Algeria were Cup of Nations winners in 2019 but made a horror defence of their title in Cameroon two years ago, where they went home with a single point and in last place in their group and faced a similar scenario again after drawing their opening game in the Ivory Coast against Angola.

-Reuters

AFCON

For the 3rd time, Rwanda and Nigeria draw in Kigali

Published

2 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Super Eagles and Rwanda’s Amavubi again drew their encounter in Kigali, the third time they will be meeting at the Rwanda capital city. All encounters of both teams in the city have all been drawn.

The first was a 2006 World Cup qualifier when Obafemi Martins salvaged a point for Nigeria after Rwanda’s Jimmy Gatete had shot the hosts ahead early in the second half.

The next time was an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in 2012 and it ended in a goalless draw just like the one of this Tuesday.

The result not withstanding, Nigeria still leads the Group D ahead of tonight’s encounter of Benin Republic and Libya in Abidjan. Only Libya will be able to upstage Nigeria after the MatchDay 2 if they are able to beat Benin by more than three goals.

Perhaps the tale would have been sweeter for the Super Eagles if their 21^st minute header by Ademola Lookman which found the back of the net had not been chalked off.

The team put up spirited efforts, but the Rwandans have their goalkeeper, Fiarce Ntiwari to thank as he saved many point blank shots and headers by menacing Nigerian forwards.

The Super Eagles still have unfinished jobs with the Rwandans. Apart from the return match of the on-going Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers holding on 19 November this year, both teams still have two outstanding World Cup qualifiers in Kigali on 17 March next year and in Nigeria on 1 September 2025.

Nigeria’s next AFCON qualifier will be an home game against Libya on Monday October 7.

AFCON

Eguavoen on third ‘missionary’ visit to Kigali

Published

6 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Nigeria’s interim coach, Austin Eguavoen has a mission to accomplish this Tuesday afternoon in Kigali. “I am here for all the available three points”, he told a pre-match press conference on Monday.

“This is my third time here; the first time I came as an assistant coach to Christian Chukwu.”

At the match, Nigeria came from a goal down to draw 1-1 in a World Cup 2006 qualifiers.

“I respect Rwanda very much and they also respect us. It will be a great game but our objective is to win the game.

“I will commend Rwanda for the great reception we have received. We are on a mission and we hope to achieve our target.”

Rwanda drew 1-1 with Libya in Tripoli on match day 1 while Nigeria also thrashed neighbors Benin 3-0 at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo to go on top of the Group D.

A win for the Super Eagles will see them move top of the group with six points after two match days.

AFCON

It’s going to be tough, Rwanda’s German coach, Spittler warns ahead of clash with Nigeria

Published

6 hours ago

September 10, 2024

Kunle Solaja

Rwanda head coach Torsten Frank Spittler gives instructions to the players during a training session ahead of the game against Nigeria on Tuesday.

Ahead of this afternoon’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifying duel with Nigeria in Kigali, Rwanda head coach Torsten Frank Spittler has admitted that the Super Eagles will give his side a hard time.

The German coach is aware of the talent that the Super Eagles have at their disposal but he trusts his men to live up to their expectations while playing before their home supporters.

“It is going to be a tough game. We are going to play against a world class squad with quality players. Our training has been good and I am positive we will get something out of the encounter,” Rwanda’s lead newspaper, New Times quoted Spittler as saying at a s in a pre-match press conference.

This is going to be Spittler’s eighth match in charge of Rwanda. The team has recorded three wins, three draws and one defeat in their last seven matches under the German gaffer in all competitions.

Asked about the team’s progress since taking charge of the team in November 2023, Spittler said that it is a gradual process and they will only get better.

“We are in transition; it is a process. What we learn here is different from what they learn at club level. This is our fourth camping and the players are so far improving in everyday’s training,” he said.

Nigeria head coach Augustine Eguavoen has the likes of star striker Victor Osimhen and Ballon d’Or nominee Ademola Lookman who can change the game at anytime. Despite his squad rich in top talent, he is aware that football has evolved and reserves respect for Rwanda.