Algeria showed how to earn a win on the road in African football, taking their chances excellently and holding off an enthusiastic Tanzania side to win 2-0 in 2023 AFCON qualifying on Wednesday. Ramy Bensebaini scored just before halftime and substitute Mohamed Amoura scored his first national team goal to give Algeria six points from their opening two games and a four-point lead at the top of Group F. Tanzania remain in third place with one point and will have two crucial games against neighbors Uganda to prepare for in September.
The first half had zero opportunities in the opening thirty minutes as Algeria kept the Taifa Stars and their home support from building momentum in Dar es Salaam. Algeria had the first opportunity after the half hour mark when right winger Adam Ounas slipped by a defender before his cross was well covered by Tanzania goalkeeper Aishi Manula. Right on the stroke of halftime the visitors struck following a free kick service that found Aïssa Mandi at the near post who volleyed the ball across the goal mouth for Bensebaini to tower above and nod the ball in.
Algeria controlled the match despite having less shots as the hosts struggled to carve out clear chances, nearly doubling their lead in the 57th minute after Amoura picked out Youcef Belaïli at the far post for a diving header that went just wide. Tanzania came closest in the 62nd minute when star striker Mbwana Samatta cut inside from the left wing and picked out Msuva, whose cross was well thumped by a first time effort Feisal Salum but well parried by Algeria keeper Raïs M’Bolhi.
In the end Algeria finished the match off late following a Tanzania free kick after Amoura got out on the break. The FC Lugano forward’s initial shot went off the crossbar but teammate Ismaël Bennacer collected the ball and set up Amoura for another shot that was blasted by Manula into the roof of the net.
Highlights from Dar es Salaam are below.
