2019 AFCON: Nigeria Out As Algeria Wins 2-1
- Books final ticket against Senegal

BY COBHAM NSA – Teranga Lions of Senegal will play the Desert Foxes of Algeria in Friday’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final after Manchester City star, Riyad Mahrez swept a dazzling free-kick past badly-positioned Daniel Akpeyi in goal for Nigeria.
With proceedings stalemated at one-all and fans already looking forward to possible extra time, the Super Eagles carelessly gave away a free kick on the edge of their penalty box in the 95th minute of play.
And it was Mahrez, who has been quiet in most part of the game, that stepped up to sensationally powered the ball round the Eagles’ wall to secure 2-1 victory for the North Africans.
The win, which broke the hearts of many Nigerian soccer fans and supporters, effectively sealed the Algerians place in the AFCON final.
The Desert Warriors led the match in the first 45 minutes, no thanks to William Troost-Ekong’s own goal in the 40th minute. However, the Super Eagles crawled back into the game through Odion Ighalo’s penalty.
The China-based Striker scored from the spot after a VAR check gave Nigeria a life-line in 72nd minute.
Again, the technical failings of Coach Gernot Rohr came to the fore as he looked on helpless from the touchline with many fans had expecting him to make tactical changes that could easily have ran down the minutes in the game’s closing moments. – With agency reports