By Banji Fawole with Agency Reports
Algeria goal scorer Baghdad Bounedjah celebrates with team mates
The 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt is over and Algeria has emerged champions with a 1-0 victory over gallant Senegalese players. It is the second for the Desert Foxes, having won it in 1990. But they did not convert any of their possession and chances into goals.
The moment of glory for Senegal who had better ball passes and possession at 62 per cent to Algeria 38, per cent, 12 shots at goal against Algeria one and 3 shots on target against one for Algeria, faded as they could not cancel the 2 min goal in the first half through a deflection of a shot by Baghdad Bournrdjah. Senegal is yet to win the African Cup of Nations.
The decisive moments came for Senegal in the 59th minutes when I agree with the decision to overturn the handball, but I don’t understand why VAR wasn’t consulted for the Senegal penalty claim in the first half. Looked like a foul on the replay and Senegal can feel a little hard done by here.
A cross by Ismaila Sarr landed pat on the arm of Algeria midfielder Adlene Guedioura. The referee initially gave a penalty, but changed his mind and went to consult VAR and then allows the machine to overrule his earlier decision. But many analysts agree it was penalty after watching a replay.
The Algerians prepared for the match in an epic way. Talk about using crowed support? The country’s authority approved twenty-eight chartered planes to transport 4,800 fans to Cairo, in addition to 9 military planes and when they got to Egypt, the fans were allowed into the stadium free of charge; they only showed their passport as agreed by the Egyptian authorities with the Algerian Football Federation
How both teams got to the final
Algeria have been the best team in the tournament, coming through a group including Friday’s opponents Senegal, Kenya and Tanzania with three wins.
They beat Guinea 3-0 in the last 16 and the Ivory Coast on penalties in the quarters.
Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez scored a dramatic free-kick with the last kick of the game as they beat Nigeria 2-1 in the semi-final.
Senegal, after picking up six points in the group stages, won all their knockout games 1-0.
They beat Uganda and Benin, and needed an extra-time own goal to get past Tunisia in the semi-finals.
It is a surprise to many to learn that Senegal have never been African champions.
They lost the 2002 final on penalties Cameroon, the same year they reached the World Cup quarter-finals.
This is Algeria’s third final and their first not against Nigeria. They lost in 1980 and then won their only crown in 1990 in Algerian soil. This is their first outside their country.
