The Desert Foxes of Algeria have been crowned as champions of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nation (AFCON) tournament after beating the Teranga Lions of Senegal 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday night.
Coach Djamel Belmadi’s side started off the match with an attacking mentality and took the game to their opponent. Early pressure from the North Africans quickly paid off just 2 minutes into the game.
Hardworking striker Baghdad Bounedjah found himself in a good attacking position but with limited assistance and decided to shoot from outside the box. His effort deflected and found its way past the stranded Alfred Gomis into the back of the net.
Now on the losing side, the Teranga Lions immediately changed gear and pushed their opponent into their half as they searched for an equalizer that would bring them level.
Unfortunately for them, all the half chances they created went waste and they were forced to end the first half trailing by the early goal from Baghdad Bounedjah.
Senegal resumed the second half with the mindset to find a way past the defense of their opponent but was always stopped by the rock-solid defense of the Algerians.
Some end to end action from both sides looked like it could produce a goal but ended up disappointing the neutrals on the night as the Desert Foxes held on to their first-half lead to eventually emerge as 1-0 winners.
This is the second time in the country's history that they have managed to win the prestigious trophy and the first time in 29 years.