[ 2015-01-20 ]

Algeria 3-1 South Africa: Slimani seals emphatic comeback
Algeria got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign
off to a flyer as they came from a goal down to
beat South Africa 3-1 on Monday.

Christian Gourcuff's Algeria side, the top-ranked
national team in Africa, are among the favourites
to win the tournament but looked to be heading for
defeat when Thuso Phala gave Bafana Bafana a
deserved second-half lead at Estadio de Mongomo.

South Africa striker Tokelo Rantie then missed a
penalty a few minutes later and that was to prove
costly as Algeria fought back to win their Group C
opener.

Thulani Hlatshwayo's own goal pegged Shakes
Mashaba's men back and Napoli defender Faouzi
Ghoulam added insult to injury by putting Algeria
in front five minutes later.

Islam Slimani then sealed the points with a third
goal, which goalkeeper Darren Keet should have
kept out, as South Africa were left to reflect on
what might have been.

South Africa did not allow their opponents to
settle in the first half and they were unfortunate
not to be in front when captain Dean Furman
rattled the crossbar with a rasping long-range
drive 22 minutes in.

Bafana Bafana then suffered a blow when they lost
a distraught Rivaldo Coetzee to injury, meaning
Siyabonga Nhlapo entered the fray after only half
an hour.

South Africa looked increasingly threatening and
had two great chances to take the lead just before
half-time as Algeria rode their luck.

Sibusiso Vilakazi looked certain to open the
scoring when he wriggled free in the penalty area
and was poised to apply the finish when Rais
M'Bolhi came out to deny him.

Algeria were again indebted to M'Bolhi a minute
later, as this time Vilakazi picked out Andile
Jali in space in the penalty area and he took his
time before seeing his shot kept out by the
Philadelphia Union keeper.

M'Bolhi was unable to prevent South Africa from
deservedly taking the lead six minutes into the
second half, though, when Phala rounded off a fine
move.

The lively Rantie flicked the ball back from the
byline into the path of Vilakazi, who in turn set
up Phala and the midfielder took a touch before
firing home from eight yards.

Algeria were unable to live with the pace of
Bafana Bafana and Mashaba's men should have
doubled their lead two minutes later, when Aissa
Mandi clattered into Vilakazi as he raced into the
area and referee Noumandiez Desire Doue pointed to
the spot.

Mandi was somewhat fortunate to escape with only a
yellow card and Algeria were given another let off
when Rantie's penalty hit the crossbar and went
behind for a goal-kick.

Algeria responded and Keet denied Slimani, who
reacted quickly but saw his header palmed onto the
post by the South Africa keeper.

Gourcuff's men were then gifted an equaliser when
defender Hlatshwayo could only head Yacine
Brahimi's cross into his own net after 67
minutes.

And worse was to come for South Africa five
minutes later, when Ghoulam surged into the
penalty and found the back of the net with a
left-footed strike that Keet ought to have done
better with at his near post

Slimani then stole in to add a third goal seven
minutes from time, as Keet had another moment to
forget by allowing a tame shot to squirm under his
body and into the net.

Source - Goal.com

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