By Daily Sports on January 20, 2017

Although they looked threatening, Algeria failed to grab the three points when they lost 2-1 to Tunisia in their 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group B match on Thursday evening at Stade de Franceville.

The Desert Warriors managed to score a solitary goal through substitute Sofianne Hanni when he finished neatly in the box in injury time.

The two goals for Henryk Kasperczak's men came from an own goal by defender Aissa Mandi and a fine penalty strike through Youssef Msakni.

Following the defeat, George Leekens' men now occupy the bottom of the standings with one point and will now hope to win against the Lions of Teranga on Monday, 23 January.

It was a typical North African derby and it started with a high intensity, with both sides chasing an early goal, but it was the Desert Warriors who threatened first.

After taking the game to the Carthage Eagles, Algeria received a set piece, but Yacine Brahimi saw his effort tipped over the cross bar by Aymen Mathlouthi inside the first five minutes.

Mathlouthi became the busier of the two goalkeepers when he was called to stop Adlene Guedioura's powerful shot away from the d-line in the 11th minute.

In the 20th minute, Henryk Kasperczak's men received a corner, but Youssef Msakni's touch was not enough to put the ball in across the face of the goal, whilst Ahmed Akaichi arrived late on the far post.

A few minutes later, Riyad Mahrez was also put through in the box, but the Leicester City man saw his effort punched away from danger by Mathlouthi.

Despite dishing out good football, both sides went to the tunnel deadlocked at 0-0.

With just five minutes played of the second half, a wonderful run by Msakni into the box saw skipper Mandi conceding an own goal to give Tunisia the lead.

However, 14 minutes later, Tunisia were given a penalty when Faouzi Ghoulam fouled Wahbi Khazri in the box and Sliti converted from the spot, doubling their lead to 2-0.

Despite getting a number of chances to break the deadlock, it was substitute Hanni who pulled one for the Fennecs in the injury time.

In the end, Tunisia managed to protect the lead and walked away with the full three points.

The Carthage Eagles now move to the number two in the group with three points after their 2-0 loss to Senegal in their opener.

Algeria (0) 1 (Hanni 90')

Tunisia (0) 2 (Mandi 50' og, Sliti 64')

Algeria: Asselah, Mandi, Ghoulam, Mahrez, Bentaleb, Brahimi (Sofianne 74'), Slimani, Guedioura (Abeid 90'), Ghezzal (Bounedjah 68'), Bansebaini, Meftah

Tunisia: Mathlouthi (Jeridi 87'), Youssef, Abdennour, Msakni, Akaichi (Khenissi 78'), Khazri, (Yaccoubi 74') Maaloul, Sassi, Amor, Naguez, Sliti. (mtnfootball.com)

•Photo shows Youssed Msakni

Source Daily Sports

Posted January 19, 2017

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