Hosts Algeria maintained their perfect record through two matches at the 2022 African Nations Championship with a 1-0 victory over Ethiopia to remain Group A leaders. Aymen Mahious scored his second goal of the competition to clinch Algeria’s spot in the quarterfinals with one match left to play against Mozambique. Ethiopia will need to defeat Libya on Saturday in their final match to qualify for the knockout stage as Group A runners-up.
Ethiopia did well to keep Algeria from opening up the match and the hosts had to be patient to find a breakthrough. The first opportunity for the Fennecs arrived in the 22nd minute when midfielder Ahmed Kendouci’s shot was spilled by Ethiopia keeper Fasil Gebremichael who scrambled quickly to secure the loose ball. Gebremichael and the Ethiopian defense were not too troubled in a first half that went by without incident.
The intensity from Algeria increased after the halftime break and Mahious came close a few minutes in when his hard shot from a tight angle went off the post and wide. Soon after in the 52nd minute the USM Alger striker gave Algeria their match winner when a corner kick from club teammate Abderrahmane Meziane was allowed to bounce in the Ethiopian penalty area, where Mahious pounced to beat Gebremichael from eight yards out.
Ethiopia created few opportunities but there were a couple of moments of concern for Algeria starting in the 69th minute when Zinedine Belaïd’s weak back pass required Algeria keeper Alexis Guendouz to sprint out and clear under pressure. The Walias came closest to equalizing in second half stoppage time when Duresa Shubisa’s corner kick was nudged through a crowd of Algerian defenders right to Kenean Markneh. However with only Guendouz to beat the Defence Force attacker sent his shot right at the keeper who did well to save.
Highlights from the clash in Algiers are below.
