Thanks to a goal from Baghdad Bounedjah scored in the first minutes of play, Algeria won against Niger (1-0) and won their ticket for CAN 2023 on Monday March 27.
20:20 – The summary of the match
Algeria wins its ticket for CAN 2023 after a difficult success against Niger (1-0). The Fennecs took the game by the right end with a goal scored very quickly by Baghdad Bounedjah who took advantage of a very inspired service from Riyad Mahrez (6th). After this goal, the Greens will rather turn their backs and will be satisfied with this lead taken early. Djamel Belmadi’s men will not take more risks than that in this first act to the point of almost being surprised before returning to the locker room. Sabo takes his chance in the area and his shot deflected by Bensebaini is perfectly pushed back for a corner by the Algerian goalkeeper, Moustafa Zeghba (42nd). The second act resumes on the same bases as the first period. This time, Algeria does not find the fault but will continue with its rather conservative strategy. Djamel Belmadi’s men limit the risks taken to avoid exposing themselves to counterattacks. One of the only thrills of this second act is still to be credited to Bounedjah who takes his chance from afar. His floating shot is well deflected by Tandja (61st). Behind, Fares Chaïbi will see his two goals disallowed and will have to wait before opening his counter with his selection. A last free kick from just under 20 meters for Niger will shake the Algerians until the end. But the ball goes over and the Fennecs, relieved, already get their ticket for the next CAN which will take place in Côte d’Ivoire in January 2024.
20:05 – The image of breaking the fast during the meeting
A rather rare scene took place in this Niger – Algeria. Indeed, the referee interrupted the meeting for a few minutes so that the players in the match could break the fast in the middle of Ramadan.
[????VIDEO] ???? Qualifications #CAN2023
???????????????? The match is stopped for a few minutes to allow the players from Algeria and Niger to break their fast. pic.twitter.com/t6MI19QVXo
— beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 27, 2023
19:59 – It’s over! Algeria qualifies for CAN 2023
Boubou Traoré whistles the end of this Niger – Algeria. The Greens provide the essentials by winning by the smallest of margins thanks to a goal from Baghdad Bounedjah. They are officially qualified for CAN 2023.
19:54 – Another goal disallowed for Chaïbi
Fares Chaïbi is mad with rage when he has just been denied his second goal in this Niger – Algeria. The Toulousain was penalized for a foul on Tandja who seemed to have trouble controlling the ball.
19:52 – 6 more minutes
The Fennecs are six minutes from qualifying for the next CAN. They still lead 1-0 as six minutes have been added to regulation time.
7:50 p.m. – Amoura close to sheltering Algeria
After Diabaté had a hole in his own area, Amoura inherited the ball but his header flirted with the left post of Tandja who seemed beaten.
19:47 – Zeghba makes a sensational save
The Algerian goalkeeper made an exceptional save on a point-blank shot from Adebayor. The assistant’s flag rises to signal an offside position but Zeghba had been imperial anyway.
19:47 – Bentaleb welcomes Badamassi
Barely entered in this Niger – Algeria, Badamassi is greeted by a very high foot from Bentaleb who is warned of a yellow card.
19:44 – Double change for Niger
Badamassi and Adebayor make their debut in the last minutes of Niger – Algeria in place of Souleymane and Sabo.
19:43 – A change for Algeria
Djamel Belamdi makes a change 10 minutes from the end of this Niger – Algeria with the entry of Kadri in place of Zerrouki.
19:41 – The game resumes
The 22 actors have hydrated and eaten and this Niger – Algeria can therefore resume.
19:39 – The meeting is interrupted for breaking the fast
The referee temporarily interrupts this Niger – Algeria to allow the two teams to break the fast.
19:36 – A double change for Algeria
Djamel Belmadi launches two young players for the last quarter of an hour of this Niger – Algeria with the entries of Amoura and Bouanani in place of Mahrez and Delort.
19:35 – Niger does not panic
Despite the delay on the scoreboard in this Niger – Algeria for the men of Jean-Michel Cavalli, the latter do not seem under pressure and do not rush to the forefront.
19:33 – Hadjam shooting center
Jaouen Hadjam takes his chance from outside the area. The ball passes between the Menas goalkeeper and his defense but no Algerian can cut the trajectory.
19:31 – Balloon problem
Both teams stop playing in this Niger – Algeria because of a deflated ball. The game resumes very quickly after this short interruption.
19:27 – Good intervention by Garba
The Niger defender is very well placed on the excellent center of Belaïli in the penalty area.
19:25 – Change for Algeria
Djamel Belamdi makes his first two changes in this Niger – Algeria with the entry of two Ligue 1 residents. Belaïli and Bentaleb replace Bennacer and Bounedjah.
19:23 – What a strike from Bounedjah!
Baghdad Bounedjah was close to doubling in this Niger – Algeria after a floating strike sent from more than 30 meters. Mahamadou Tandja is vigilant and performs a fine parade.
19:22 – It’s game time
We have reached the hour mark of this Niger – Algeria and the Fennecs still hold their short advantage and are still provisionally qualified for CAN 2023. But nothing is decided yet.
19:21 – Delort misses his pass
What a pity for Delort who had managed to take the ball very well. After this technical feat, the Nantes player misses his deep pass to Chaïbi.
19:16 – Disappointment for Chaïbi
Guitoun makes a superb center at the far post but Mahrez and Chaïbi. The first lets the ball pass for Chaïbi who pushes the ball into the back of the net. But his first goal in selection is refused for an offside position.
19:15 – Sosah is a little lonely
It has been a leitmotif since the beginning of this Niger – Algeria. Sosah is a little too lonely and often has to fight to keep the ball and then put it back.