In a compelling start to their 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) journey, two-time champions Algeria found themselves in a 1-1 draw against a determined Angola, who orchestrated a second-half comeback to clinch a valuable point in Group D.
ALG 1-1 ANG: Match Recap and Updated AFCON Group D Standings
Algeria, fielding a star-studded lineup with players from Europe’s top five leagues, asserted early dominance in Bouaké. Baghdad Bounedjah displayed his scoring prowess by volleying a precise over-the-top pass from Youcef Belaïli into the net, granting the Desert Warriors a well-deserved lead.
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Despite Bounedjah’s early heroics, Angola remained steadfast, adjusting their approach in the second half. While this tactical shift left them defensively exposed, it tilted the balance in their favor. Zito Luvumbo’s skillful forward play hinted at an opportunity, and the breakthrough occurred when Mabululu was brought down in the box by Nabil Bentaleb.
Mabululu calmly converted the subsequent penalty, striking the ball off the underside of the crossbar and reigniting hopes for Angola, aspiring to secure their first AFCON victory since 2012.
Both teams pressed for a late winner, but the match ultimately concluded in a hard-fought draw. Algeria faces the frustration of not securing a victory, aiming to break their winless AFCON streak since the 2019 final.
Meanwhile, Angola’s earned point against the group favorites sparks optimism, particularly given their history of quarter-final runs in 2008 and 2010.