Algeria\nwon the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time as a freak early goal secured\na 1-0 win against Senegal in the final in Cairo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baghdad\nBounedjah’s shot took a huge deflection off Salif Sane and looped over\ngoalkeeper Alfred Gomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senegal,\nwho have never won the competition, were awarded a penalty for handball in the\nsecond half but it was overturned after a VAR review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Algeria\nclosed out the rest of the game to win their first title since 1990.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senegal’s\nplayers collapsed on the pitch in tears at the final whistle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liverpool\nforward Sadio Mane, who said before the game he would swap his Champions League\nwinners medal for Africa Cup of Nations success, looked disconsolate as Algeria\nplayers celebrated around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Without\nthe players I am nothing,” said Algeria boss Djamel Belmadi. “They\nare the main ones. I suppose the staff played its part in guiding the players\nbut they applied the instructions incredibly well.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senegal,\nmaking only their second appearance in the final since 2002, dominated for\nlarge periods but struggled to make the most of their possession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M’Baye\nNiang was at the centre of two of their best chances as he flashed a fierce\ndrive over the bar just before the break, and rounded keeper Rais M’bolhi early\nin the second half only to shoot wide from a tight angle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
M’Bolhi\nalso did well to palm over a stinging effort from Youssouf Sabaly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\ndecisive moment for Senegal was the reversal of the decision to award a penalty\non the hour mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ismaila\nSarr’s cross was blasted straight at Adlene Guedioura’s arm, referee Neant\nAlioum pointed to the spot, but, just as the Senegal players started\ncelebrating the decision, he quickly indicated that a VAR review was under way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After\nwatching the replays on the pitch-side monitor, which clearly showed\nGuedioura’s arm being by his side, Alioum reversed the decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although\nthe decision was correct, the result was harsh on Senegal, with Algeria\nmanaging only one shot on goal.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations for the second time as a freak early goal secured a 1-0 win against Senegal in the final in Cairo. Baghdad Bounedjah’s shot took a huge deflection off Salif Sane and looped over goalkeeper Alfred Gomes. Senegal, who have never won the competition, were awarded a penalty for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27983,"featured_media":10176,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_paywall_metabox":[],"jnews_override_counter":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[102],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10175","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"yoast_head":"\n