Riyad Mahrez rescues Algeria

The Dessert foxes of Algeria started the opening games of Group B, with the Warriors of Zimbabwe on Sunday at Franceville.
The early minutes of the game, gave a promise of a very competitive fixture with both sides craving for an early goal to unsettle the opponent.

Zimbabwe, came very close on the 8th minute, after Khama Billiat threatened the Algerians with a strike which came off the upright. Unfortunately, Knowledge Musona, suffered a hamstring injury in the early minutes of the game which forced Callitos Pasuka to call on substitute Mathew Pusika as a replacement.

A quick counter attack by the Algerians saw the best player of the continent, Riyad Mahrez at the right hand side of the defensive area of the warriors, a beautiful finesse from the Leicester man gave the Northerners the lead on the 12 minute of the game.

In Just 5minutes after going down, Matthew Rusike found Kudakwashe Mahachi on the edge of the box who fires the ball into the bottom right corner to get the equalizer for the Zimbabweans. The Warriors kept on threatening the Algerians with beautiful interposition plays forcing the greens into sixes and seven.

Referee Bamlak Tessema Weyesa pointed to the spot after Mokhtar Belkhite  has brought down his opponent in the 18 yard box,  an easy call to make. Nyasha Mushekwi who took the responsibility gave no chance to the keeper as he converted with a sharp low drive into the left side of the net.

The Algerians came back into the game in the late embers of the first half, winning several free kicks at advantageous position but could not find the equalizer before the end of the first half.     

The Foxes started the second half on a very high note as they pressed the Warriors to find openings but a quick counter attack from the Zimbabweans saw Khama Billiat who unleashed a promising shot towards the top right corner after his wonderful solo run, but Rais M’Bolhi thwarts the effort with a fabulous save.

Algeria kept on creating glaring opportunities as they quest for the equalizer but Tadena Mukuruva was a warrior enough to thwart their efforts on several occasions 

Riyad Mahrez saved the day for Algeria in the 82nd minute as he took a great first touch to control a good pass on the edge of the boss and placed the ball inside the right post to end the game in a tie.

Source: GNA