ALGERIA REACH AFCON FINAL
Nigeria’s Super Eagles have failed to make it the the final of the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after a nail-bitting 2-1 defeat to the Les Fennecs of Algeria at the Cairo International Stadium in the second semi final clash on Sunday.
Head coach Gernot Rohr made no changes as he started the same squad that he fielded in the 2-1 victory over the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the quarter final. The Super Eagles going into the game, were yet to lose to the Desert Foxes since 1990 and they were looking to extend the run in Cairo.
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.@NGSuperEagles XI vs @LesVerts Subs: Ezenwa, Uzoho, Mikel, Onyekuru, Ogu, Aina, Balogun, Onuachu, Osimhen, Simon, Kalu, Shehu #SoarSuperEagles #Team9jaStrong #TotalAFCON2019 #ALGNGA
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Algeria however, had the brighter start to the game. Youcef Belaili whipped in a delightful cross, which Akpeyi missed. Baghdad Bounedjah then got hold of the ball, but somehow shot wide of a near-open goal from close range. The Algerians. got another huge chance as Ismael Bennacer whipped in a free-kick, which Ramy Bensebaini headed over the bar.
The Super Eagles, eventually had have their first attempt on target on the 20th minute mark as Iwobi drove forward to find Ahmed Musa whose shot at goal headed straight at Rais Mbolhi in the Algerian goal.
On the half hour, Daniel Akpeyi did well to keep the Super Eagles in the game with a save. Defender Kenneth Omeruo totally misread a long ball, and Bounedjah got himself to go one-on-one with the keeper. The striker shot his ball right at the body of Akpeyi.
The Super Eagles survived a scare again as Bounedjah attempted the goal again. The forward once again, chased in on goal and Jamilu Collins got a touch on Bounedjah attempt which saw the ball head towards goal but eventually land on the roof of the net.
Nigeria at the other end, tried to get the curtain raiser as Alex Iwobi pressed, leading to a turnover of possession, the Arsenal man then set up Ighalo who fired inches wide.
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44" | Algeria 1-0 Nigeria
Dreadful own goal scored by William Troost Ekong turning home Riyad Mahrez cross#ALGNGA #AFCON2019
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Algeria would go ahead on the 41st minute as a William Troost-Ekong own goal put the Les Fennecs in front. Riyad Mahrez burned out Jamilu Collins with a bit of skill on the right.
His cross took a nick off Ekong who scored Nigeria’s winner against South Africa, and then land into the net leaving the three time champions at a 1-0 deficit at half time.
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STATS | Check out the first-half stats! #TotalAFCON2019 #ALGNGA
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The Super Eagles started the second half forcing the Algerians into their own half for the first six minutes but failed to create something imaginative to carve the Foxes open. Alex Iwobi finally made the first attempt of the half as he ran at Algeria but his shot from distance went wide.
Drama would arise as Peter Oghenekaro Etebo hit a shot from range but had it intercepted by Aissa Mandi’s handball which led to shouts a Nigerian penalty. Referee Bakary Gassama after initial hesitation, got contacted by the VAR for a possible penalty and awarded it after making reviews.
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75" | Algeria 1-1 Nigeria
Odion Ighalo goal after VAR review which levels the game#ALGNGA #AFCON2019
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Odion Ighalo stepped up and sent Mbolhi the wrong direction from the spot putting the Super Eagles level with 18 minutes left to the end of regulation time.
Rohr then made a change up front, throwing in Henry Onyekuru, who is technically an Everton player for Samuel Chukwueze.
Algerian came close to grabbing the winner as Ismael Bennacer hits an absolute thunderbolt from 20 yards which cannoned off the crossbar which left Akpeyi left totally beaten.
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Oh Mahrez sublime
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Riyad Mahrez then fired Algeria into the Africa Cup of Nations final with a sensational free-kick into the far corner in the last minute of the game to give the Algerians a 2-1 win in regulation time.
The Les Fennecs now move into the finals at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday for the first time since they won it in 1990, to face the Teranga Lions of Senegal who defeated Tunisia 1-0 after extra time, in the other semi finals match, for a shot at a second title.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles however, play fellow North African side Tunisia in the losers final at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday.
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