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Algeria were confirmed the winners of Group E in matchday five of their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifying bid following a tense 0-0 draw with Equatorial Guinea at Estadio de Malabo yesterday afternoon.
Equatorial Guinea started the game on a positive note and had Algeria chasing shadows inside the first five minutes. With National Thunder applying early pressure, Algeria were reduced to play on the back foot.
Algeria struggled to match the early pace set by Equatorial Guinea and were unable to progress the ball toward the opposition 18-yard-area after 15 minutes played.
It was one way traffic at Estadio de Malabo as a result of Equatorial Guinea’s dominance midway through the first-half. However, Algeria began seeing more of the ball, particularly during build-up from defensive positions.
Equatorial Guinea ended the first 45 on a high and came close to opening their account during the stoppage time period as Alexandre Oukidja denied Louis Asue with a point blank save inside the six-yard-area.
Following a positive start to the second-half, Algeria created a couple of goal scoring opportunities while Equatorial Guinea committed numbers going forward.
However, Equatorial Guinea regained control of the ball after an hour played in the tightly contested affair as Algeria found themselves playing under the cosh once again.
The Desert Foxes had nothing to show for their attacking advances as the last quarter of the match approached, meanwhile National Thunder continued to dominate both on and off the ball.
Nonetheless, neither side were able to bury their final scoring chances as the referee called time on the fixture with the score level at 0-0 — SuperSport.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter