Algeria book place in Africa Cup knockout stage

RABAT, Morocco (AP):

Zinedine Zidane watched again and Riyad Mahrez scored again as Algeria reached the last 16 at the Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso yesterday.

The 34-year-old Mahrez took his tally to three goals in two games with a penalty in the 23rd minute. The ball went one way, the goalkeeper the other, and it was enough for the Fennec Foxes to advance to the knockout stage with a maximum six points in Group E.

It came as a relief for the many Algeria fans who had made the relatively short trip to the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat. The team went out after the group stage in both editions, after winning the 2019 title in Egypt.

“The goal was for us to qualify, and not really individual awards,” said Algeria youngster Ibrahim Maza, 20, who praised his colleagues’ teamwork.

The spot kick was awarded by referee Daniel Laryea Nii Ayi after Rayan Aït-Nouri tumbled as he was trying to go past Burkinabe defender Ismahila Ouédraogo.

Algeria failed to take their chances with Mohamed Amoura, Maza and Aït-Nouri denied by goalkeeper Kouakou Koffi.

At the other end, Zidane’s son Luca did not have much to do in the Algeria goal until he was tested by Lassina Traoré in the 83rd.

Cyriaque Irié might have equalised in stoppage time but his header went straight to the Algeria goalkeeper, who has been given a chance to shine for the country of his grandfather because of a knee injury to Alexandre Oukidja, who would likely have started.

There was a cheer when the big screens showed the senior Zidane, the France great, watching while well wrapped up against the cold. He was also present for Algeria’s opening win over Sudan.

Algeria left back Jaouen Hadjam went off injured early, and defender Samir Chergui, only recently back from a hamstring problem, had to go off before the hour-mark with what looked like another leg injury.

Burkina Faso stayed second in the group on three points, after their opening win over Equatorial Guinea.

Earlier, Sudan – who are playing despite a brutal war at home – revived their chances of progression with a 1-0 win over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca.

“Our ambition is to win the title, not just to achieve a single victory,” Sudan coach James Kwesi Appiah said.

Sudan face Burkina Faso in their final group game on Wednesday with a place in the last 16 at stake. The top two progress from each group, along with the best third-place finishers. Equatorial Guinea, with two defeats, were eliminated.

Defending champions Ivory Coast drew 1-1 with five-time winners Cameroon in Group F. Both are on four points. In the same group, Mozambique (three points) boosted their hopes of progression with a 3-2 win over Gabon.