By Daily Sports on January 16, 2017

Riyaad Mahrez's late goal helped Algeria hold Zimbabwe to a 2-2 stalemate in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) game on Sunday evening.

The Group B encounter took place at the Stade de Franceville in the Gabonese city of Franceville with both sides looking to start the tournament with a win.

Although Algeria's Desert Foxes enjoyed more possession in the opening stages of the game, the Warriors of Zimbabwe were looking dangerous on the counter.

Zimbabwe forward Khama Billiat forced Algeria goalkeeper Rais M'Bolhi into a fine save in the ninth minute following a good move by the Warriors.

Billiat, who was proving to be thorn in the Algerian defence, unleashed a thunderous half volley which was pushed onto the woodwork by M'Bolhi a minute later.

However, Riyaad Mahrez fired Algeria into the lead after collecting the ball in the Zimbabwe box and curled it into the far corner to make it 1-0 in the 12th minute.

Prior to conceding, Zimbabwe were dealt a major blow as their star striker Knowledge Musona limped off and he was replaced by Matthew Rusike.

The Warriors kept pushing forward in numbers and they did level matters through Kudakwashe Mahachi, who made it 1-1, following a good move.

The goal seemed to have motivated Zimbabwe as they were awarded a penalty in the 28th minute after Onismor Bhasera was fouled in the Algerian box.

Nyasha Mushekwi then stepped up and made no mistake from the spot-kick as he fired past M'Bolhi to hand Zimbabwe a surprise 2-1 lead against the much-fancied Algerian side.

Mahrez had a chance to level matters in the 40th minute, but his effort was blocked by the Zimbabwean wall and the first-half ended with the Warriors leading 2-1.

The 2016 African Player of the Year based in Africa nominee Billiat nearly extended Zimbabwe's lead eight minutes after the restart, but he was well-denied by M'bolhi.

However, the momentum was with Algeria, who were pressing for the equalising goal with the likes of Hillel Soudani and Mahrez looking lively upfront.

Zimbabwe shot-stopper Tatenda Mukuruza was called into action in the 64th minute and he saved Yacine Brahimi's attempt from range.

Mukuruva's teammate and defender Elisha Muroiwa made some last-gasp defending six minutes later blocking Islam Slimani's effort as Algeria continued to dominate.

With 13 minutes left on the clock, Algeria coach Georges Leekens pulled out Soudani and he introduced Rachid Ghezzal, who plays for Lyon in France.

The Desert Foxes' pressure finally paid off in the 82nd minute as Mahrez scored with a long range shot against Mukuruva, who should have done better.

Nevertheless, neither side were able to find the winning goal in the dying minutes of the game and the match ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

Algeria (1) 2 (Mahrez 12', 82')

Zimbabwe (2) 2 (Mahachi 17', Mushekwi 28')

Algeria: M’Bolhi; Belkhither (Meftah 46'), Mandi, Bensebaini, Ghoulam; Guedioura, Bentaleb; Mahrez, Brahimi, Soudani (Ghezzal 77'); Slimani.

Zimbabwe: Mkuruva; Nhamoinesu, Zvirekwi, Muroiwa, Bhasera; Phiri, Mahachi, Katsande, Billiat, Mushekwi (Malajila 78'); Musona (Rusike 11').

Sunday results

Algeria Algeria 2 : 2 Zimbabwe

Tunisia 0 : 2 Senegal  (supersport.com)

•Photo shows Riyad Mahrez

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 16, 2017

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