Algeria have been crowned winners of the African Cup of Nations for the second time after beating Senegal 1-0 in the final on Friday.
Striker Baghdad Bounedjah stunned Senegal in the opening minutes of the game in Egypt’s capital, Cairo, with a shot which took a deflection off a defender and looped over the Senegalese goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and into the net.
The goal was timed at 79 seconds – the fastest in an African Cup final for at least 39 years – and delivered Algeria just a second African title and first since 1990.
Algeria sat back after that and the first half turned into a scrappy, bad-tempered affair as Senegal, who have never won the title, failed to threaten their defence.
Senegal were awarded a penalty for handball in the second half but the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
Ismaila Sarr missed Senegal’s best chance by volleying wide from inside the area.
Published by “Al-Jazeera “
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