CAN 2024 qualifiers: Algeria qualifies for the final phase in Côte d'Ivoire

Baghdad Bounedjah, scorer against Niger. AFP - KARIM JAAFAR

Text by: Farid Achache Follow

2 min

After Morocco, Algeria became the second African nation to qualify for the final phase of CAN 2024 in Côte d'Ivoire. The Fennecs beat Niger on Monday, March 27 (1-0). Baghdad Bounedjah scored from the start of the match.

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Another match, another scenario. If Niger had opened the scoring in the first leg in Algeria, the Fennecs are not surprised this time.

In Rades, Tunisia, due to an unlicensed stadium in Niger, Riyad Mahrez was once again involved with an assist on the edge of the box. The Manchester City player perfectly shifted Baghdad Bounedjah who took the Nigerien defense (6th) by surprise. With this fourth victory in as many games, the Fennecs, unbeaten since 1981 against Niger, are qualified for the next CAN to be held in January 2024 in Côte d'Ivoire.

Twentieth participation in the biggest continental tournament

Four days after the success at home, coach Djamel Belmadi had decided to shake up his starting eleven. Only three of Friday's starters started the game: Bennacer, Mahrez and Delort.

After the opening of the score, Algeria fell asleep a little and the Nigerien Mahamadou Amadou Sabo woke up the clan of the Greens at the end of the first period (42nd). Fennecs goalkeeper Moustapha Zeghba had to make a reflex parry on Sabo's strike, which had played the Algerian defence on the right side.

Coming back with better intentions after the break and a small goal difference, the Algerians were denied the break ball because of offside. On the right, Farès Chaïbi (Toulouse FC), for his first start, concluded with his left foot before the flag went up (54th). At the end of the match, Moustapha Zeghba is still on parade in the 84th minute on a counter against Victorien Adebayor.

After missing out on the last CAN in Cameroon in January 2022 with an elimination in the first round, the Fennecs, who were also not globalists in Qatar, will certainly take advantage of the last two days to continue to progress collectively. The winners of the 2019 edition in Egypt will certainly be thirsty for revenge for their twentieth participation in the biggest continental tournament.

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• Football
• Algeria
• CAN 2024