AFCON 2017
Riyaad Mahrez’s late goal helped Algeria hold Zimbabwe to a 2-2 stalemate in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) game yesterday evening.
The Group B encounter took place at the Stade de Franceville in the Gabonese city of Franceville with both sides looking to start the tournament with a win.
Although Algeria’s Desert Foxes enjoyed more possession in the opening stages of the game, the Warriors of Zimbabwe were looking dangerous on the counter.
Zimbabwe forward Khama Billiat forced Algeria goalkeeper Rais M’Bolhi into a fine save in the ninth minute following a good move by the Warriors.
Billiat, who was proving to be thorn in the Algerian defence, unleashed a thunderous half volley which was pushed onto the woodwork by M’Bolhi a minute later.
However, Riyaad Mahrez fired Algeria into the lead after collecting the ball in the Zimbabwe box and curled it into the far corner to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute.
Prior to conceding, Zimbabwe were dealt a major blow as their star striker Knowledge Musona limped off and he was replaced by Matthew Rusike.
The Warriors kept pushing forward in numbers and they did level matters through Kudakwashe Mahachi, who made it 1-1, following a good move.
The goal seemed to have motivated Zimbabwe as they were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after Onismor Bhasera was fouled in the Algerian box.
Nyasha Mushekwi then stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick as he fired past M’Bolhi to hand Zimbabwe a surprise 2-1 lead against the much-fancied Algerian side.
Mahrez had a chance to level matters in the 40th minute, but his effort was blocked by the Zimbabwean wall and the first-half ended with the Warriors leading 2-1.
The 2016 African Player of the Year based in Africa nominee Billiat nearly extended Zimbabwe’s lead eight minutes after the restart, but he was well-denied by M’bolhi.
RESULTS
Algeria 2 – 2 Zimbabwe
B/Faso 1 – 1 Cameroon
Gabon 1 – 1 G/Bissau
Tunisia Vs Senegal
FIXTURES
TODAY
Cote d’Ivoire Vs Togo
DR Congo Vs Morocco
TOMORROW
Ghana Vs Uganda
Mali Vs Egypt
