- Tweeter
republish
After 29 years of waiting, Algeria wins its second African Cup of Nations! The Fennecs defeated Senegal on 19 July 2019 in Cairo (1-0). The hero of the match is Baghdad Bounedjah, who scored the only goal in the second minute. This is the apotheosis for this Algerian team.
" 1, 2, 3, live Algeria! ": This slogan, very resumed in recent weeks (as in 2014, when the Fennecs played the World Cup in Brazil), you will probably hear it even more now. Africa of football has a new master. The crown of champion of Africa, property of Cameroon since 2017, settles in the Maghreb for two years. This Friday, July 19, Algeria won the CAN 2019 by beating Senegal in the final (1-0).
In March 1990, in front of his public, the Fennecs striker Chérif Oudjani offered his country the first CAN in its history against Nigeria (1-0). 29 years later, the former striker has a successor. His name: Baghdad Bounedjah.
Bounedjah ignites Algeria in less than two minutes
At the international stadium in Cairo, under the eyes of famous football names such as Samuel Eto'o, the President of Fifa Gianni Infantino or Franck Ribery, the final of the 32nd CAN kicked off with flying colors. Without the Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, suspended and in stands. And it's his replacement, Salif Sané, who has unintentionally rocked the game for the first time.
Algeria led their first attack with Baghdad Bounedjah, alone against the Senegalese defender, outside the box. Al Sadd's striker dug in the middle and tried his luck off the edge. Sané deflected his shot and the ball took a lobed trajectory. Alfred Gomis, remained frozen ... and watched the ball fall back into his goal, along the pole, under the incredulous eyes of his partners.
It was the second minute. Specifically, the final was launched since 1'20. And Algeria took control of the match, with one of the fastest goals in CAN's finals history. In the archives, we find the Egyptian Ad-Diba (Egypt-Ethiopia: 4-0, CAN 1957) and the Nigerian Segun Odegbami (Nigeria-Algeria: 3-0, CAN 1980) as scorers as early.
Penalty for Senegal, granted then canceled
So attractive since the start of this CAN, the team of Djamel Belmadi showed, in the rest of the first period, a face that did not know him. Very defensive, Algeria multiplied the faults (14 in the first 45 minutes) and was content to defend his valuable advantage. A dangerous tactic but paid because at the break, it was the Greens who led.
In the second half, Senegal thought they had a great opportunity to equalize in the 60th minute. On a center of Lamine Gassama, Adlane Guedioura touched the leather of the hand, and the referee Mr. Alioum Alioum designated the point of penalty. But the Cameroonian whistle, called by his video assistants to review the action, decided to cancel the penalty, Guedioura made no move and kept his arm along the body.
Forced to attack to equalize, the Teranga Lions redoubled their efforts. M'Baye Niang, launched by Lamine Gassama, managed to dribble Raïs M'Bolhi but found herself eccentric and could not straighten the trajectory of his shot (66th). The Algerian goalkeeper then slammed a shot from Youssouf Sabaly who was spinning under his bar (69th).
A jubilation so special for all Algeria
The entries of Krépin Diatta (59), M'Baye Diagne (75) and Keïta Baldé (85) helped the Senegalese in their equalization mission. But nothing worked. The Algerian defense folded but did not give in. Even when it was temporarily reduced to ten, when Djamel Benlamri had to leave the field because of a big wound on the cheek, following an involuntary headbutt of Sadio Mané, voluntary but helpless tonight.
Calculator, organized, devilishly effective (a shot shot, a goal), Algeria delivered the match of the most successful CAN, but it did what it took to win. Senegal, picked cold, failed to materialize its domination. There were too many inaccuracies, technical faults, and too little realism in the ranks of Lions, like the dangerous free kick that Diatta sent in the clouds (88th). As in 2002, the dream breaks for the Lions. At the time, in the final lost to Cameroon, Aliou Cissé was on the field with the captain's armband. This time it is with the breed suit that he bows. Senegal is unhappy with this second defeat in the final; the search for a first title of champion of Africa continues for at least two more years.
And jubilation can take hold of all Algeria. Here are the Warriors of the desert at the top of the continent. In the political context that the Algerians cross, the band in Belmadi offers its supporters a breath of unique happiness. Algeria is champion of Africa. 1 2 3 long live Algeria !
See also ► CAN 2019: Calendar, results and standings of the Africa Cup
► If the direct is not displayed, click here.