RABAT, Morocco (AP) — Adil Bourbina scored the dramatic winning goal in overtime and Algeria beat Congo 1-0. africa cup of nations Tuesday’s best of 16 match.
In the 119th minute, Brubina fired a left-handed fly from the edge of the penalty area into the top corner of the goal, sending the majority of fans in the aromatic Moulay El Hassan Stadium into a frenzy of celebration.
Algerian journalists who celebrated in the press box were warned that their accreditation would be revoked after their unbridled outburst of joy. A journalist accidentally broke a TV screen after jumping on a table.
Algeria will play Nigeria in Marrakech on Saturday. The Super Eagles defeated Mozambique 4-0 to advance. on monday.
Defending champions Ivory Coast then faced Burkina Faso in the second and final round in Marrakech. Egypt awaits the winner in Agadir on Sunday.
After getting over the initial disappointment, Congo can prepare for the World Cup playoffs. The Leopards will play either New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico in March for the final spot in a tournament held in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Congolese fans fight for tickets
Hundreds of supporters gathered at the Congolese embassy in Rabat before the match after hearing that Congolese and Moroccan fans would be given free tickets if they showed their passports for identification.
Algeria enjoys strong support in neighboring Morocco, but relations between the two countries are strained and Moroccan fans tend to root for their Algerian rivals. Yet, despite attempts to drum up support for Congolese, Algerian fans made up the majority.
Local media also reported that FBI agents were at the game to monitor the security, which was significantly tighter than previous games. This was the first time an Associated Press reporter had his bag searched at this tournament, and he was searched twice before entering the stadium, with significantly more police present than in previous games, including the game against Algeria.
The FBI was reportedly in attendance to learn what can be done about fan management ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
fennec fox attack
Buoyed by cheers in green and white, Algeria dominated the ball, with Congolese defenders scrambling under constant pressure.
But the big opportunity came in Congo. Cedric Bakambu’s first save was Luca Zidane Axel Tuanzebe heads just wide of the penalty spot.
Bakambu’s header then went just wide, but Ramy Bensebaini was forced into a last-minute clearance.
Congo got off to a strong start after the break, but were unable to score. Riyad Mahrez struck for Algeria, but Anis Hadji Moussa and Mohamed Amoula missed further chances, despite a good performance by the Fennec Foxes.
Leopards needed goalkeeper Lionel Mpathi to thwart Fares Chaibi and then Baghdad Bounedja in extra time. Mpathi scolded the defenders, but they were clearly tired and could do nothing when Bourbina went for a winner to fly left.
I also support Lumumba.
Congo supporter Michel Ngcuka Mboradinga, standing on a pedestal, raised his right hand and held it during the kick-off, posing like a statue of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Patrice Lumumba, the hero of Congo’s independence, was murdered. By half-time, he slowly lowered his arms and raised his hands above his head to applaud his fellow supporters, who were by no means statuesque behind him. He came back and raised his hand again in the second half and in overtime.
Ngcuka Mboradinga is Congo match matches during the tournamentmet with African Football Confederation President Patrice Motsepe before the match.
___
Associated Press at the Africa Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/africa-cup-of-nations
