From our special correspondent in Bouaké – Algeria dominated their duel against Burkina Faso on Saturday in the Group D match of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) but came up against opportunistic Stallions. The Fennecs could not do better than a draw, snatched in stoppage time (2-2).
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Disaster averted for Algeria. After the inaugural draw against Angola, the Fennecs could not do better than a draw against Burkina Faso (2-2) and for a long time came close to defeat despite dominating the game. Everything remains to be done to Djamel Belmadi’s men.
For this announced shock of group D, the atmosphere is beautiful. If the Algerian supporters are present, it is the fans of the Étalons who make the most noise. It is indeed difficult to compete with the weight of the Burkinabè community in Bouaké.
The start of the match is rough. The 22 players put a lot of intensity into the duels and the referee blew his whistle multiple times. The Greens, who are playing in white for this duel, play quickly after a foul against Riyad Mahrez. Zerrouki’s center is slightly deflected by the Burkina defense and Koffi watches (11th). He shines again with the first shot on target of the match, a curled shot from the left side by Belaili (13th).
Sterile domination of Algerians
Very leggy, Bounedjah and Beilaili feast in the Burkinabe area and set the defense on fire. The two attackers think they have found the fault but there is a miraculous intervention from Edmond Tapsoba on his line (21st). The Étalons react with a free kick and sow panic in the defense of the Fennecs who struggle to free themselves (24th).
The Algerians are more dominant and regularly disrupt the defense of Burkina Faso who can thank Koffi if the score remains goalless, notably on the strikes of Bounedjah (26th) and Feghouli (44th). But the Stallions remain dangerous: the slightest counter brings danger in the Fennecs’ defense.
VAR awards Konaté’s goal
And precisely, Mohamed Konaté appears behind the Algerian defense in one of these situations and takes over Abdoul Tapsoba’s cross with his head. His head lodges in Mandrea’s skylight. The goalkeeper from Stade Malherbe de Caen thinks he is saved by an offside but the VAR corrects the touch referee’s decision (45th, 1-0).
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Returning from the locker room, the Fennecs showed character despite a stadium committed to the cause of the 2022 semi-finalists. Bounedjah took advantage of a mix-up in the Burkina area after a free kick from Mahrez to push the ball into the back of the net ( 50th, 1-1). A welcome goal while a minute earlier Blati Touré almost doubled the lead (49th).
Djamel Belmadi’s men, untenable on the sidelines as usual, redoubled their efforts but lacked precision. Bounedjah came close to the double and the post (53rd) while Ammoura missed his header (57th).
To revive his team, Hubert Velud brings in the emblematic Bertrand Traoré, in place of the scorer of the day. An entry which, like against Mauritania, has the merit of remotivating the troops. Edmond Tapsoba launches Issa Kaboré into the opposing area… Rayan Aït-Nouri intervenes and the Burkinabè remains on the ground for a long time.
“Penalty! Penalty! Penalty!”, chant the stands while his player remains on the ground for a long time. The referee ends up interrupting the game to call in the trainers… And being called to watch the video. The penalty is awarded. Bertrand Traoré is precisely there to transform it as in the first match (70th, 2-1).
The goal gave rise to a very surprising late round of observation and the action subsided for around ten minutes. Then, the match ignites. The teams go from one end of the field to the other in a match where the midfielders no longer seem to exist. Burkina twice missed the KO goal while Algeria claimed a penalty for a dangerous action.
The nine minutes of stoppage time were long for the Burkinabè. Until the end, they don’t give up. Supported by their audience, they throw themselves like starving people at the attackers as soon as they appear.
However, from a corner, the inevitable Bounedjah catapults the ball into Hervé Koffi’s cage. Algeria breathes a little (2-2) and avoids the worst.
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Burkina Faso takes the lead in Group D, pending the result of Mauritania – Angola – which takes place later on Saturday. With four points, she has one foot in the round of 16. On the other hand, Algeria can be afraid: the slightest false against the surprising Mauritania could be fatal for them on the third day.