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The host kicked off their African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 journey with a narrow win but had Libya to thank for the gift.
TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 host Algeria started their quest to a first-ever title in the competition with a hard-fought win over Libya in the tournament's opener.
Aymen Mahious scored the only goal of the match through a penalty as Algeria defeated Libya 1-0 in the North African derby at the Nelson Mandela Stadium late Friday night.
Mahious's goal saw him enter the history book as the first player to score a goal at the new Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers.
Libya’s gift
The 2022 CHAN got off to a rather shaky and dull start despite a lively opening ceremony at the new Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Algeria kicked off the competition with a narrow victory but had their neighbours Libya to thank following a second-half gift.
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The goal came from the penalty spot after a rather bizarre mistake from the Libyan defenders just before the hour mark.
Under no pressure at all, midfielder Aboulqassim Rajab attempted a short and poor back pass to his goalkeeper, Maud Allafi, who tried to correct the mistake but hacked down Mahious inside the box in the process.
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For almost half an hour, it was a dull and uninspired performance from both teams in the tournament’s opener.
But the Desert Foxes were handed a lifeline when the referee, Tom Abongile, had no other options but to point to the spot.
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Mahious stepped up to convert comfortably into the left-hand corner to put Algeria ahead in the 57th minute.
Libya's resurgence not enough
The goal was exactly what the game needed as the Libyans, who seemed uninterested in the game before they conceded, woke up from their sleep after going behind.
Libya started to ask more and better questions of the Desert Foxes with several good attacking moves in search of an equaliser.
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The reward nearly came 15 minutes from time through their captain, Ali Ramadan Ali, who watched in agony as his fine attempt came off the post following a corner.
Another chance came via Omar Alkhja moments later but Alexis Guendouz, the Algerian safe hands, ensured the Foxes had nothing to worry about with a good save.
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Libya could have snatched a share of the spoils in added time but was unable to make use of a wonderful chance via a free kick at the edge of the Algerian box.
The Desert Foxes held on for the win and three points as the packed Mandela Stadium cheered them on. Algeria are now top of Group A with three points, with Libya rooted at the bottom of the table.
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