AFCON 2021: Algeria’s Arab Cup Triumph, A Statement Of Intent

Algeria had to wait for the overtime to defeat Tunisia 2-0, a massive victory – three weeks before the start of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The desert warriors won the battle against Tunisia on Saturday, December 18 in Qatar though under duress.

A victory meant the AFCON holders won the trophy of the 10th Arab Cup in history and the first organized under the umbrella of Fifa.

The victory is somewhat a huge statement to other inhabitants of group E: Equatorial Guinea, Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and indeed, the rest of the continent.

Algeria opened scores via the substitute Amir Sayoud (99th), before Yacine Brahimi (120th + 5), made it 2-0.

it was before a packed stadium of more than 60,000 spectators, including the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim ben Hamad Al Thani.

Underway to the title, Algeria had a clean slate, with no defeats suffered in the tournament. The desert warriors, who didn’t lose a match during the Arab Cup, had, like all the nations involved, to do without their players key players, like skipper – Riyad Mahrez, plying in Europe.

The tournament took place in six of the eight stadiums that will host matches of the 2022 World Cup.

Earlier in the day, the host country beat Egypt on penalties (5-4, 0-0 at the end of regular playing time).