Algeria ended their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying run with a bang as they thumped Liberia 5-1 in Tizi Ouzou
on Sunday, Afrosport reports.
The first goal came from the visitors in the sixth minute after a bit of tussling in the box from a free kick gave Samson Dweh the space he needed to convert, as the defender found the back of the net for the first time since September last year.
In the 20th minute, Algeria’s Amine Gouri took advantage of a through ball from Riyadh Mahrez to test the goalkeeper but he was up to the test, although the rebound gave Aissa Mandi a close-range chance to equalise, which he did.
The Algerians were unrelenting as 10 minutes later, the unlikely source of a header, Mahrez converted one with his head after a cross from Gouiri was delivered perfectly as he put his country forward in the 30th minute.
The second half made things worse for Liberia as another rebound, this time, the shot from Gouri hitting the post before Baghdad Bounedijah converted from close range in the 64th minute to make it 3-1 in favour of the hosts.
Ten minutes later, Gouri was not to be denied again as he converted a cross by Mohammed Amoura and add more salt to Liberia’s injury. Both sides must have thought this was the final goal of the game Amoura added his name to the scoresheet in the final minute of injury time as Algeria ended the year with only two losses in all competitions.
Matchday 6 Day 1 action wrapped up! 🎬
Today’s results.👇#AFCONQ2025 pic.twitter.com/uxzOz0Au2F
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 17, 2024
Meanwhile, in Lome, Togo grabbed their first win of the qualifiers when they defeated Equatorial Guinea 3-0. The first goal came as early as the 14th minute when Yaw Annor scored with a brilliant shot from the centre of the box. Equatorial Guinea still did not look threatening enough as Togo kept knocking, trying to extend the lead.
The second goal came deservedly, albeit in the early minutes of the second half as Kevin Denkey took the chance and belted a screamer to make it double for his country.
A quick counter in the late minutes of the second half saw Annor get his brace as Togo ended their campaign one point above bottom Liberia.
