Hosts Algeria kicked off the 2022 African Nations Championship with a 1-0 victory over Libya at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers to open up play in Group A. USM Alger forward Aymen Mahious converted from the penalty spot in the second half for the only goal of the match as the hosts controlled play throughout, finally getting their breakthrough from a mistake in the Libyan defense. Algeria will face Ethiopia in their next match on Tuesday while Libya faces Mozambique.
A vocal Algerian support packed into the newly completed Nelson Mandela Stadium for the first competitive match at the showcase venue with the host team soon getting on the front foot. Midfielder Houssem Mrezigue gave Libyan goalkeeper Muad Allafi an early test with a long range effort that the Al-Ittihad Tripoli shot stopper controlled without trouble. The Libyan defense held out well in the first half as Algeria struggled to make the final breakthrough.
Libya began to gain confidence but a crucial error put the Mediterranean Knights behind early in the second half. Midfielder Aboulqassim Rajab received the ball under heavy pressure and did underhit his back pass to Allafi, who tripped up Mahious after the forward tapped the ball around the advancing keeper. Mahious calmly stepped up and rolled his spot kick in as Allafi dived the wrong way.
Algeria struggled to put the match away and allowed Libya to hang around leading to a nervous finish for the home supporters. A 76th minute short corner kick from Libya led to a cross that found center back captain Ali Ramadhan Ali, whose volley bounced off the post with Algeria keeper Alexis Guendouz beaten. Libya’s final charge was not enough in the end with the hosts escaping a last-minute equalizer for the full time whistle after Jaefar Jaboudah’s free kick went into the Algerian wall.
Highlights of the opening match are below.
