IFFHS CONTINENTAL NEWS - CHAN DAY 14
Picture : Alhassane Bangoura (10) and Guinea couldn't win against Algeria and Messala Merbah (5).
Guinea, Niger Out!
Guinea had just one choice as they engaged Algeria in the Nelson Mandela National Stadium this Friday: win to stay afloat. The 1/1 score at full time meant they were out of contention. Algeria took an early initiative with Aimen Mahious heading an assist directly into keeper Mory Keita's custody. That was well before they laid claim to an 18th minute penalty when Mohamed Diabate tripped Bilel Boukerchaoui in the box. Cameroonian referee Mefire said no. Mezian Ben Tahar's low-flying drive stopped by keeper Mory Keita was the last play worthy of mention in the first half. Five minutes after Alhassane Bangoura's 57th minute grounder was stopped beautifully by keeper Zakaria Bouhalfaya Guinea maintained the pressure to see Ismael Camara of Horoya Athletetic Club outsmart his marker to thunder home the opener from just outside the box. Suggestions Guinea were back in contention were promptly discarded in the 88th minute when USM Alger's Adem Alilet spun the ball out of the reach of the excellent keeper Mory Keita to put scores at 1/1. With no more games in the competition, Guinea bow out only celebrating the second individual coronation of Alhassane Bangoura as mvp.
The next two teams, Niger and South Africa were rather in fortune management of the road ahead than winning the night's game. No doubt little really was done to bag the points. In the 17th minute South Africa clamored for a penalty after Kaketso Majadibodu was tripped by Ridouane Assane. VAR saw something else. At the ultimate moment of the first half a VAR check nullified South African calls for a penalty as it was clearly seen that in silencing a close call Mohamed Abdourhamane Moumouni had not touched the ball with the hand. Meanwhile the outright domination by South Africa found perfect antidotes in the outstanding goalkeeping by ASFAN's goalie Mahamadou Tanja who emerged as mvp.
This Saturday it will be Burkina Faso vs Madagascar and Central Africa Republic vs Mauritania.