Guinea denied late as Algeria rescue point in CHAN Group C battle
Algeria struck late through Soufiane Bayazid to earn a 1-1 draw with Guinea in a tense TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group C clash at the Nelson Mandela National Stadium in Kampala on Friday.
Ismaël Camara’s fine strike midway through the second half had put Guinea on course for a vital victory in their fight to stay in the tournament, but Bayazid levelled with two minutes remaining to preserve Algeria’s unbeaten record.
The result leaves Guinea on four points from four games, their hopes of progressing hanging by a thread, while Algeria move to five points and remain firmly in contention for a quarter-final place ahead of their final group match.
Group leaders Uganda have six points, with South Africa and Niger meeting later tonight.
Cagey first half
The first 45 minutes reflected the stakes for both sides – Guinea seeking survival and Algeria chasing early qualification.
Algeria had the better of the early exchanges, forcing Guinea goalkeeper Mory Keïta into several saves, including from Aimen Mahious’ close-range header and Abderrahmane Meziane’s curling effort.
Guinea, compact and disciplined, looked to break through Mohamed Bangoura and Alhassane Bangoura on the flanks, but clear chances were scarce.
Moussa Camara’s late shot in the half was well held by Zakaria Bouhalfaya as both teams went into the interval goalless.
Camara ignites Guinea
The match burst into life just after the hour mark. Guinea, who had started the second half with more intent, took the lead in the 62nd minute when Ismaël Camara seized space outside the area and drilled a low right-footed strike into the bottom left corner.
It was a reward for Guinea’s growing ambition and gave them a lifeline in their bid to stay in the competition.
The Syli National nearly doubled their lead when Yakhouba Barry headed over from close range following a corner.
Algeria rally late
Majid Bougherra responded with a triple substitution just before the goal, introducing fresh legs in attack, and Algeria pressed for an equaliser.
Diaa Mechid fired over, and Bayazid was denied by Keïta from point-blank range in the 88th minute.
Seconds later, Algeria finally broke through. Abderrahmane Meziane weaved into the box and set up Bayazid, who slotted home into the bottom right corner to make it 1-1.
The closing minutes were frantic, with Naoufel Khacef testing Keïta from distance, but neither side could find a decisive second goal.
Group C finely poised
The draw keeps Algeria’s fate in their own hands ahead of their last group match, while Guinea hopes of advancing have ended
For Guinea coach Souleymane Camara, it was another tale of missed opportunity after his side failed to hold on to a winning position.
For Algeria, the late goal underlined their resilience and maintained momentum in their unbeaten CHAN 2024 campaign.
