Aymen Mahious scored from the penalty spot as 2022 African Nations Championship hosts Algeria, secured a 1-0 win over Northern African neighbours Libya in the opening match at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers on Friday night.
The Desert Foxes had come into this Group A match drawing all of their warm-up games against Mauritania, Senegal and Ghana. It looked like it was going that way again in the Algerian capital, with very little created in terms of chances and opportunities in the first half.
The first big moment of the game game in the 57th minute when Libya goalkeeper Maoud Ellafi brought down Mahious inside the penalty area, a consequence of a poor back pass that was made by Belqasem Rajab.
Mahious took the responsibility of the spot kick and converted with ease, doing the hop, skip and jump technique similar to Chelsea and Manchester United midfielders Jorginho and Bruno Fernandes.
Omar Al Khoja was close to equalising for Libya in the 70th minute but his long range effort was kept out by Alexis Guendouz in goal for Algeria.
Mediterranean Knights captain Ali Salama was close to putting the ball into the back of the net five minutes later, his shot however struck the woodwork.
Full time! 🔚
🇩🇿 Algeria 1-0 Libya 🇱🇾
Aimen Mahious' penalty gifts the hosts their first three points of the #TotalEnergiesCHAN2022. pic.twitter.com/7kupkEk1oW
— MARHABA (@CAF_Online) January 13, 2023
With three points secured, Algeria will be looking to seal maximum points and progress to the quarter-finals when they tackle Ethiopia next. Libya meanwhile will have it all to do in their quest to also qualify from Group A when they play Mozambique.
Saturday action in CHAN will see the Ethiopians and Mozambicans take on each other followed by Group B action between two-time champions DR Congo and Uganda and also Ivory Coast up against Senegal.
