November 17 – Algeria became the second nation to qualify for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon after a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe in Harare.
Last week, Senegal and Sadio Mane were the first team to ensure their participation at the continental finals with a win against Guinea Bissau and on Monday the defending African champions booked their ticket for the next Africa Cup of Nations following a tight draw with the Zimbabweans.
The Algerians took a first-half lead through goals from Andy Delort and Riyad Mahrez, who struck with a superb solo effort, but the hosts clawed their way back into the game as striker Knowledge Musona scored from a free kick just before the break.
The Warriors dominated the second half and got their reward with an equalizer from substitute Prince Dube eight minutes from time. The result was a reversal of fortunes for Zimbabwe, who had lost 3-1 to the North Africans last week.
Even so, Algeria qualified for the finals with the draw. They top group H on ten points with two rounds of matches left to play. Zimbabwe sit in second on five points, followed by Botswana on four and Zambia, bottom of the group, on three. The top two teams seal a ticket for Cameroon.
On Tuesday, Benin, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria and Tunisia will all be looking to qualify and join both Senegal and Algeria, the finalists of the 2019 AFCON, at Africa’s flagship competition.
Hosts Cameroon have qualified automatically. The Cameroonians were due to stage the tournament next year, but due to the ripple-on effect of the coronavirus shutdown the finals were moved back a year.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713594662labto1713594662ofdlr1713594662owedi1713594662sni@o1713594662fni1713594662