ALGERIA drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone in their opening group game in Daoula and failed to impress as they set out to defend their AFCON crown.
- RESULT: Algeria 0-0 Sierra Leone
- Algeria XI: M’Bohli; Atal, Bedrane, Mandi, Bensebaini; Brahimi, Belkebla, Feghouli; Mahrez, Belaili, Slimani
- Sierra Leone XI: M.Kamara; Kakay, Wright, Caulker, Zangalay, J.Kamara; Quee, K.Kamara, Bundu; Buya, A.Kamara
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That’s all we’ve got time for following a famous point for Sierra Leone.
Next up we see two of the big guns.
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Rudi good show
Chelsea star Antonio Rudiger was a keen viewer as Sierra Leone held Algeria to a 0-0 draw.
The Germany international’s mother Lily was born in the country, and he would have especially enjoyed Steven Caulker’s block which prevented the Algerians netting a near-open goal.
Man of the Match
Sierra Leone goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara has been named as Man of the Match.
The 22-year-old is still playing in his own country with East End Lions, but if he keeps playing to this standard he will have a great chance of earning a move.
In a Manuel Neuer-like display, Kamara repeatedly charged out of his area, winning header after header and showing total confidence in his game.
Unbelievable Jeff!
Chris Kamara was thoroughly enjoying a hard earned point for his father’s country.
The Soccer Saturday legend revealed he had the chance to play for Sierra Leone himself, but waited for an England call-up which never came.
Kei rallies the troops
A rousing speech from Kei Kamara as the Sierra Leone team form a huddle at the end of the game.
The former Norwich and Middlesbrough defender tells his team-mates: “That’s what it’s all about!”
Sierra Leone bag a point
The Sierra Leone players celebrate wildly in front of their fans after earning a crucial point.
Algeria looked like they might steal it at the death with a free header but Kamara held on once again.
In the dying minutes, the Algerians looked like they were the only team capable of winning it. However, Sierra Leone were good value for the draw.
Algeria can look back on a hatful of chances missed in the second half, but also at an anaemic first 45 minutes in which their opponents were the better team despite not qualifying for the tournament for 25 years.
FULL TIME: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
90+1: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Left-back Rensebaini looks to take matters into his own hands and beats his man on the wing.
However, he comfortably fires into the arms of Mohamad Kamara, who has had a fantastic game tonight.
89: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Sierra Leone looked like they were about to nick it.
A quick free kick puts their player clean through on goal, but the referee pulls it back and tells them to wait for the whistle.
Three minutes added on.
87: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
A quick free kick finds Baghdad Bounedjah unmarked.
However he needlessly rushes the shot, attempts the lob and scuffs it into the arms of Kamara.
85: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Almost an immediate impact from Said Benrahma!
He’s picked out completely unmarked on the penalty spot but scuffs inexplicably wide.
The West Ham star will feel he should have done better.
Sierra Leone are almost dead on their feet and desperate for the final whistle.
83: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Said Benrahma finally gets his chance to impress.
He replaces Haris Belkleba as the Algerians make their fifth and final change.
80: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
A first chance for Riyad Mahrez.
Steven Caulker holds up the Algerian attack on the left hand side but a lofted cross finds the Man City star.
Mahrez then fires low and forces a brilliant save from Mohamed Kamara.
Hard to believe the Sierra Leone goalkeeper is still playing for local side East End Lions.
73: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Sierra Leone overcook their corner and Riyad Mahrez leads the counter-attack.
He plays the ball to Belaili who beats his man in the penalty area then goes down clutching his ankle under the challenge.
But the referee has no hesitation in pointing for a corner rather than a penalty.
Replays show he probably dived.
68: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Algeria really turning the screw now.
Goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara once again appearing to style himself as the Manuel Neuer of West Africa as he charges out of his box to win a header.
The ball then falls to Riyad Mahrez but the Sierra Leone defence hold him up for just long enough for Kamara to get back into the penalty area and make the save.
67: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Algeria so close to a lead they scarcely deserve but Steven Caulker saves the day for Sierra Leone!
Brilliant work on the left wing for the Algerians sets up Bendebka, who appears to have an open goal to shoot at.
But Caulker gets a toe on it to send it wide.
64: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
A triple change for Algeria sums up how Djamel Belmadi feels about his team’s performance.
Brahimi is replaced by Bendebka, Slimani replaced by Bounedjah and Feghouli by Boulaya.
A furious-looking Slimani tries to fire up the replacements as they come on.
60: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Another half chance for Brahimi, who has looked a lot livelier this half.
The Porto winger beats his man on the left hand side of the pitch, cuts inside and fires directly at goalkeeper Kamara.
51: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
The best chance of the game by far falls to Yacine Brahimi.
The Algerian is played clean through on goal but fires the ball into the ground, allowing Kamara to get a palm on it and claim it at the second attempt.
How badly will they regret that miss?
48: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
Sierra Leone have the ball in the net for the first time today.
Alhaji Kamara bundles it home before wildly celebrating with a knee slide….
Which is a bit awkward as VAR shows he was offside by a huge distance.
VAR check – Possible Sierra Leone goal!
We’re underway in the second half!
Up next
Algeria will be desperate to improve here and pick up a win in the second half.
The AFCON holders take on Equatorial Guinea next and will be keen to seal their place in the knockout stages before their final group match against the Ivory Coast.
HALF TIME: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
It’s goalless at the break and it’s not Sierra Leone who are holding on.
The West Africans have looked good on the break and completely dominated in the air, but just lacked the end product.
Algeria have been far from their best and created little of note, but you feel they may have the greater ability to manufacture the crucial opportunity in the second half.
The two teams are also playing at very different paces. Sierra Leone are looking to make it a full blooded street fight while Algeria are keen to slow the tempo down and turn it into a chess match.
45+1: Algeria 0 Sierra Leone 0
A good chance for Islam Slimani who picks up the ball on the edge of the box with the Sierra Leone defence all over the place.
However, the goalkeeper is once again quick off the line to stop the shot with his leg.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
