Algeria suffered a shock defeat against Equatorial Guinea as they slipped to the bottom of the Group E table.
Equatorial Guinea defeated Algeria 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations game on Sunday. The Fennecs’ 35-game unbeaten run ends as they now face serious danger of elimination.
AFCON drama!
Algeria came into the match on the back of an underwhelming 0-0 draw against Sierra Leone. The reigning AFCON champions continued to struggle offensively, unable to create serious chances in the second half.
After the interval, the Fennecs gradually started to find their feet in the game. However, Equatorial Guinea refused to sit back and defend. The underdogs created several chances by sending through balls during the second period. However, they found their breakthrough from a corner kick as they stunned Algeria with a late opener.
Following an unnecessary defensive mixup by Algerian players, centre-back Esteban Obono pocked the ball home at the back post. Algeria pushed hard to escape the defeat during the final ten minutes. However, they eventually settled for a shock defeat against their Central African rivals.
Algeria sit at the bottom of the Group E standings before their last group-stage game. The Fennecs will meet group leaders Ivory Coast in a must-win game on Thursday while Equatorial Guinea meet Sierra Leone.
Player Ratings
Algeria: M’Bolhi (6), Atal (6), Bensebaini (7), Benlamri (6), Mandi (6), Feghouli (5), Bendebka (5), Belaïli (7), Mahrez (6), Bennacer (6), Bounedjah (6).
Bench: Tahrat (6), Boulaya (6), Slimani (5), Brahimi (6).
Equatorial Guinea: Owono (7), Carlos Akapo (7), Obiang (8), Coco (7), Ndong (7), Ganet (7), Pepin (6), Salvador (7), Bikoro (5), Buyla (6), Siafa (5).
Bench: Enema (5), Nlavo (6), Hanza (6), Miranda (7).
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