By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-01-23 22:31:14
Algeria, former champions of the Africa Cup of Nations, were unexpectedly eliminated from the tournament on Tuesday after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Mauritania, a team 75 places lower in the world rankings.
The deciding goal was scored by Mauritania’s captain, Mohamed Dellah Yaly, in the 37th minute of the match, securing the underdogs’ advancement to the knockout stage of the competition.
Despite the loss, Angola managed to secure a 2-0 victory over Burkina Faso in the same section, finishing at the top of the standings with seven points. Burkina Faso and Mauritania also advanced to the next stage of the tournament.
Algeria’s early departure from the tournament comes as a disappointment to many, as they were considered favorites to win the competition. Their failure to secure a single victory in the group stage was particularly surprising, especially after draws with Angola and Burkina Faso.
Former Manchester City winger, Riyad Mahrez, who was expected to be a standout player for Algeria, struggled in the first two matches and was benched for the decisive match against Mauritania.
Despite the absence of Mahrez, Algeria dominated much of the game, with several scoring opportunities, but Mauritania’s defensive resilience prevented them from finding the back of the net.
Mauritania’s historic victory, marked by wild celebrations, was a result of their unyielding determination and effective defensive play. Algeria’s attempts to level the score were repeatedly thwarted by the Mauritanian goalkeeper, Babacar Niasse.
The defeat was a shocking end to Algeria’s campaign and raised questions about their performances in the tournament. Despite their disappointing exit, coach Djamel Belmadi urged fans to not be too hasty in criticizing the team, emphasizing the need for patience and support.
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