Bougherra shines as Algeria bounce back

Published on Thursday 14 January 2010 22:06

ALGERIA kept their hopes of progress in the African Nations Cup alive as they edged past Mali 1-0 in Cidadela yesterday.

England's World Cup opponents had lost 3-0 to Malawi in their opening Group A encounter but Rafik Halliche's header saw them bounce back in style.

For Mali, there was to be no repeat of the heroics that saw them come from 4-0 down to earn a 4-4 draw with Angola in the tournament opener as they turned in a poor performance.

Mali enjoyed an early period of pressure and Mustapha Yatabare's second-minute free-kick caused problems in the Algerian defence but Mahamadou Diarra was unable to find a team-mate with his pull-back after beating Algeria keeper Faouzi Chaouchi to the loose ball.

But the Desert Foxes hit back and Karim Ziani's swerving, dipping cross almost caught out Soumaila Diakite in the Mali goal as it struck the top of the crossbar. Yatabare went close at the other end as his long-range strike flew into the side netting.

Mali defender Bakary Soumare was then booked for an ill-timed challenge on Yacine Bezzaz and from the resulting set-piece Algeria took a 43rd-minute lead. Ziani's curling delivery allowed defender Halliche to steal in between three defenders and beat the indecisive Diakite.

Eagles coach Stephen Keshi sent on Sevilla forward Fredi Kanoute as they sought an equaliser but it proved in vain as Algeria's defence, superbly marshalled by Halliche and Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra, dealt with everything that was thrown at them.

In the later Group A match, Flavio and Manucho scored to give Angola a 2-0 win over Malawi. The result moved the hosts into first place in the standings with four points from two matches, one more than Malawi and Algeria.