After leading 2-0 in Zimbabwe, Algeria conceded a draw (2-2) but nevertheless qualified for 2021 AFCON.
Delort and Mahrez had put the Fennecs in front thanks to two great goals. But in their enclosure, the Warriors have made it a point of honor to return.
Four days after its success in Algiers (3-1), Algeria was very close to making it back to back against Zimbabwe. In Harare, the Fennecs asserted their superiority on the fourth day of the qualifiers leading to the AFCON 2021 in front of opponents who fought valiantly.
Some contacts were rough. Dominated in Algeria, the Warriors wanted their revenge and showed themselves in the engagement, sometimes to the extreme limit. Chicksen (19th) and Rusike (29th) received a yellow for showing the muscles.
Little dangerous until then on, mainly, free kicks from Mahrez, the winner of the last CAN had to wait until the 34th minute to unblock the situation. Delort picked up a cross from Halaimia and beat Shumba with a shocking ball. Four minutes after the second goal by the Montpellier striker, Mahrez had driven Chicksen crazy and superbly doubled the bet with a cross shot with the right foot (38th). Yes yes, with the right foot .
The few spectators of the Zimbabwean enclosure were decidedly spoiled. Just one minute after hitting the crossbar, Musona was hoping for a master free kick (43rd). A hope that would turn into an equalizer in the 82nd.
Behind a corner, Dube took again the flat of the right foot and took advantage of an awkwardness of M’Bolhi to equalize.
Apart from a free kick from Milanese Bennacer pushed back by the Zimbabwe goalkeeper (65th), Algeria did not show much and relaxed in the second half.
Undefeated for 22 outings, Belmadi’s men – first in the group with 10 points ahead of Zimbabwe (5) and Zambia (3) which later face Botswana (1) – nevertheless won the essentials. They mathematically get their ticket for the next AFCON even before the last two matches.
Match report transcribed into English from France Football
