AFCON 2023 Qualifiers: Mandi, Belaili On Target As Algeria Beat Uganda 2-0.
AFCON 2023 Qualifiers: Mandi, Belaili On Target As Algeria Beat Uganda 2-0.
Algeria begun their 2023 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign on a positive note as they defeated Uganda Cranes 2-0 in their home opener on Saturday night.
Aïssa Mandi and Mohamed Youcef Belaïli scored in either halves of the encounter to help the Desert Warriors to a convincing victory in the Group F match played at Stade du 5-Juillet-1962.
Djamel Belmadi’s guns started the better side and were rewarded through defender Aïssa Mandi who slotted home from Belaili’s delivery for a 1-0 lead in the 28 minutes.
Moments later Uganda Cranes had a chance to equalize when they were awarded a penalty after Khalid Aucho was pulled down in the box.
But Farouk Miya missed to score from the resultant spot-kick as Algeria took a 1-0 lead in the interval.
Brest winger Mohamed Youcef Belaïli sealed the victory after evading Uganda Cranes defenders to score past custodian Charles Lukwago for a 2-0 in the 79 minutes.
Milutin Sredojević Micho’s guns could not find a way back as Algeria held on to claim all the maximum points.
Victory means Algeria now top Group F with 3 points after Tanzania and Niger played to a 1-1 draw at Stade de l’Amitié on Saturday evening. Uganda Cranes meanwhile sit at the bottom of the log in Group F with zero point.
Both teams are back in action on Wednesday, 8 June when Algeria visit Tanzania at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium while Uganda Cranes host Niger at St Mary’s Stadium Kitende.
