Algeria 0-1 EG: Orozco’s Goal Turns AFCON On Its Head, As Holders Smell Early Exit

All what could possibly go wrong, is going wrong for the defending champions! Having shared the spoils in the opening match, Algeria was beaten to everyone’s surprise by Equatorial Guinea in her second match (1-0).

Riyad Mahrez’s teammates will play for qualification in a final match against Côte d’Ivoire. In group E, in which Equatorial Guinea is 2nd, there’s far from being anything like a verdict.

After 35 consecutive matches without defeat, in all competitions, the foxes were brought down by Equatorial Guinea through the narrowest of margins (0-1), thanks to a goal from Orozco Fernandez.

Still unable to score a single goal, Algeria are forced to win against Côte d’Ivoire, in a clash that is already very promising in Group E.

Baghdad Bounedjah, nearly opened the scoring after a header from Mahrez pushed back by the goalkeeper, but his teammate playing at Manchester City was offside (23rd).

Youcef Belaïli thought he had equalized in the last minutes, but he was also offside (83rd).

Islam Slimani added up to the queue of misses. The second half substitute’s shot at close range in the 82nd minute went wide.

Equatorial Guinea’s goal came courtesy of a miss-queue from a free kick. Orozco Fernandez took advantage of a deflection at the near post to punish Algeria 1-0 at the 71st minute. The hero of the match then did the splits with a decisive clearance in his area, to deny Algeria an 86th minute goal. His goal, the only one of the game, that overwhelmed the Desert Foxes.

With just a single point taken, Algeria are dead last in Group E. There’s still hope as Côte d’Ivoire drew with Sierra Leone a few hours earlier (2-2). After the miracle of Equatorial Guinea, it is Algeria’s turn to produce one.