Algeria scooped all the three points in their opener game in Egypt 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign in Group C after hammering their opponents, Kenya 2-0 who had a horrible first half of the game.
The desert foxes however deserved the win considering the fact that they started it in a positive way and goals from the Captain Riyad Mahrez and Baghdad Bounedjah saw them victorious.
Algeria could have taken an early lead from a corner kick but Kenya goalie Patrick Matasi denied Midfielder Youcef Belaili the chance to find the back of the net.
The Struggle for Kenya to make a surprise win bore no fruits as Algerians seemed to have overpowered them and they tirelessly challenged Kenya backline after Algeria’s Aissa Mandi failed to connect and make contact on the ball around the penalty area to hand in a goal for his country.
Harambee Stars Keeper Matasi continued with his saving spree until when Kenya Dennis Odhiambo made a silly mistake and brought down Youcef Atal in the penalty box to earn the Desert Foxes a penalty.
Algeria took the lead at the 32nd minute after Forward Baghdad Bounedjah took a sumptuous and easy penalty kick which saw Matasi slide on the opposite direction of the ball.
Man city midfielder Riyad Mahrez could have awarded his team a second goal after he dribbled past the Stars defenders but Matasi was on the watch out and blocked the strike.
Before the end of the first half, Midfielder Mahrez boosted the Foxes hopes after he chipped in a second goal for Algeria and his 11th goal for his country.
Kenya however looked wildly and energetic in the second half of the game despite having no shot on target.
At the 83rd minute Stars striker Michael Olunga could have scored a consolation goal for Kenya from Ayub Timbe’s run to the left but a great tackle from Algeria’s Mandi denied him the celebration.
Harambee stars made dangerous tackles throughout the game that costed them dearly, it being 15 years since Kenya last qualified for the AFCON.
This is after Senegal beat Tanzania 2-0 in an earlier match.
Kenya faces their Neighbours Tanzania while Senegal will face Algeria on Thursday .
Discussion about this post