TotalEnergies U17 AFCON: Algeria come from behind to draw Congo, make quarters

Skipper Moslem Anatouf hit a late equalizer as Algeria rallied from a goal down to play to a 1-1 draw with Congo and affirm their place in the quarter finals of the TotalEnergies U17 Africa Cup of Nations.

The single point from the duel assures the home side of a second place finish in Group A, and thus have booked a feisty North African derby in the quarter finals against Morocco, who are assured of topping Group B.

Algeria will move from the capital Algiers to Constantine, where they will take on Morocco next Wednesday.

Congo in turn finish third in the group with two points and are assured of one of two available best third placed positions. They take on Group C winners Mali in the other quarter final in Annaba on Thursday.

The Congolese had taken the lead through Joseph Ndzoukou in the 67th minute, but there were only seven minutes before Anatouf scored the leveler, his third of the competition.

Knowing a win would place them rightly for a second spot finish, Congo started well with Ndzoukou having an early chance saved by the keeper.

Abiga Wumba Niati also had an effort from outside the area while Gloire Nzebele also tried his luck, but none broke the deadlock.

Algeria had not started the match as well as they would have wanted and had some half chance through Shain Chetioui but it did little to trouble the keeper.

Algeria were stronger after the restart with Chetioui having a shot saved by the keeper in the 58th minute.

However, their good start was nipped in the bud in the 67th minute when Dzoukou reacted quickest after the Algerian keeper had palmed away a shot from Abiga.

But, Algeria, pushed on by the home crowd, rallied to level seven minutes later, skipper Anatouf rising to the occasion with a fine finish.

Despite some late efforts to battle for a win, Congo did enough to preserve the point that is just but enough to sail them through.