CHAN 2022: Algeria, Mozambique through to next round; Libya, Ethiopia bow out
Algeria sealed a 100% win record in their group matches of the African Nations Championship on Saturday evening after edging Mozambique 1-0 in the closing round of Group A fixtures at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
An early strike by Hocine Dehiri in the 3rd minute was enough to see the hosts Algeria amassing maximum points to finish top of the group and subsequently seal a place in the quarter-finals of the competition where they will face the runners-up of Group B.
Fortunately for Mozambique, the loss did not end their competition run as Libya overcame Ethiopia 3-1 in a match played concurrently in Annaba – a result that worked in their favour as they finished second in the group with four points to set up a quarter-final clash against the winners of group C.
With the backing of a packed and vocal Nelson Mandela Stadium, the hosts immediately registered their names on the scoreboard after Hocine Dehiri towered over the Mozambican defence to connect with a well-taken corner to put the hosts in the driving seat.
The early goal seemed to have destabilised The Mambas who retreated into defence mode but eventually got into the match with their first attempt at goal coming in the 21st minute when Feliciano Jone’s header from the far post went into the side netting.
Minutes later, it was Algeria with an opportunity to extend the lead after Saadi Radouani did well to find Karim Aribi with the cut back ,but the striker miscued his shot with the pressure from the defence in what could have been an extension of the lead.
The pressure continued to mount for Mozambique, who had to resort to counter-attacks which almost worked in their favour in the dying moments of the first half when a well-threaded cross from Francisco Muchanga fell into the path of captain Stelio Ernesto, who unfortunately lost his footing at a key moment for the ball to be cleared.
Mozambique were almost caught cold in the opening minutes of the second stanza after Radouani peeled wide off the defence to create ample space for himself for a delightful cross to Aribi who couldn’t connect well with the ball as his tame effort was easily gathered by Ivane Urrubal.
Radouani continued to be a threat to the Mozambicans with his maze runs down the right flank with crosses that troubled the Mozambican defence.
The Mambas continued the search for the equaliser but found it difficult to break the stubborn Algerian defence that thwarted most of their attacks in the middle of the park.
The conclusion of the group matches sees both Algeria and Mozambique through to the quarter-finals with Algeria’s Group B opponents to be decided on Sunday while Mozambique await the final results of Group C to be played on Monday to confirm their quarter-finals opponents.
Former winners Libya registered their first win when they saw off Ethiopia 3-1 in Annaba.
The victory at the 19 May 1956 Stadium ensured that the Mediterranean Knights, who had already been eliminated from the competition, leapfrogged the Walia Ibex to finish third in Group A.
Ethiopia, who needed a win the final group match to maintain hopes of advancing to the knock-out stages, took the lead in the 39th minute to spark hopes of progress.
Gatoch Panom converted from the spot and into the right corner past Libyan goalkeeper Muad Allafi who had a slight touch on the ball, but it was too powerful for him to save.
Canaan Markneh had been brought down in the penalty box as the Walia Ibex were rewarded for the continuous pressure they had put on the Libyan defense from the start of the game.
Despite being down, Libya who had nothing to lose in this game because they were already eliminated from the tournament following two losses in two games, bounced back in the game with an equaliser when Ali Arqoub found the back of the net five minutes later.
Both sides went into the break with a lot of pressure but more so for the Ethiopians who needed to win so that they stand a chance to progress to the knockout stages of the 18-team continental competition organized for players featuring in their domestic leagues.
In the second half, Libya approached the game with more urgency attacking from both ends of the pitch and five minutes after the break, Abdulati Abbasi punished the Ethiopians for a miscommunication on the defensive line to give Libya the lead.
The Mediterranean Knights started to smell the fear within the Ethiopian camp and continued to assert more pressure on their backline. Wubetu Abate’s side sought an equalizer thereafter but were wasteful in front of goal for the most part.
Their confidence continued to wane in the game as they faced a race against the clock and when in the 78th minute, defender Mohamed Abdussalam made a quick run and cut into the box before passing the ball to Mohamed Saltou whose shot at goal found the back of the net, it was game over for Ethiopia.
They were shuttered and visibly looked distraught, but they did not give up completely.
Panom had one last chance in the dying minutes to cross the ball into the box which was intercepted by the Libyan defense, and when the rebound landed into substitute Duresa Godana’s vicinity, he made a last gasp attempt at goal but Allafi was quick to block it and save Libya the blushes.
Libya held to win 3-1 despite being knocked out of the tournament in the lead-up to this game and Ethiopia will join them on their way out.
