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Youcef Belaïli, the only scorer of the Botswana-Algeria match (0-1). fadel senna / AFP

In the absence of his captain and playmaker, Riyad Mahrez, Algeria appealed to his sense of fighting and relied on Youcef Belaïli to bring back the three points of his trip to Botswana.

This time, there was no offensive festival as in the first day against Zambia (5-0). No keystrokes in the middle of the window either, nor a technical recital. In the absence, for personal reasons, of his conductor, Riyad Mahrez, Algeria had to explore other facets of his game: solidity, commitment, aggression.

Delort and Slimani Associates

It was in front of a team from Botswana who approached this meeting with a strong desire to bring down the reigning African champion. Add a dented lawn, a thunderstorm in the middle of the match, and a coach ... Algerian in front (Adel Amrouche), you'll have the trap match that feels full nose. The Fennecs came out of the Botswanan owl first thanks to a goal from Youcef Belaïli who opened the scoring on a direct corner (14th). The striker, who had been defeated by Kabelo Dambe in the previous corner, insisted on giving the advantage to his side.

Then, the men of Djamel Belmadi had to roll up their sleeves, respond to blows, tackles, set foot, to meet the challenge imposed by the Zebres. In a gladiatorial fight, it is miraculous that this match ended with only one expelled (Gape Gaogangwe, 84th).

And despite a 4-4-2 with Andy Delort alongside Islam Slimani, Algeria has not often had the opportunity to worry Kabelo Dambe.

This forceps victory allows Algeria to finish an outstanding 2019 year, and keep the lead of Group H.

CAN 2021: schedule, results, standings