By Ifeanyi Uwagwu
Substitute Adil Boulbina broke Congolese hearts in the 118th minute, after scoring a beauty of a goal to send the Fennecs of Algeria into the quarter final of the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), with a 1-0 win over DR Congo in their round of 16 clash, today in Rabat.
The game seemed to be headed to penalties in a goalless stalemate after 90 minutes and the additional 30 minutes of extra time, but Boulbina, who had come on in the 113thminute for Fares Chaibi had the final say in sublime fashion.
The Al Duhail forward cut in to the right to step away from his marker before curling a beauty of a strike past keeper Lionel Mpasi-Nzau who had done well to keep his side in the game.
The game was forced into extra time after the regular 90 saw both sides fail to find the back of the net in a tightly, yet fiercely contested fixture.
Algeria began on the front foot, applying early pressure and forcing DR Congo to defend deep. However, despite their positive start, they could not significantly test goalkeeper Mpasi-Nzau.
From the opportunities they created, DR Congo looked the more dangerous side. In the 25th minute, Cedric Bakambu broke quickly on the counter and fired a low shot that was well smothered by Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane for a corner.
From the resulting set-piece, Axel Tuanzebe rose highest, but his header drifted inches wide.
Bakambu came close again moments later, meeting Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross with a powerful header, only to see his effort flash narrowly past the post.
Algeria almost broke the deadlock just before the interval when the impressive Ibrahim Maza surged forward on the counter, but his low strike rolled just wide of the target.
Late in the second half, Algeria had a golden chance to seal the win with 12 minutes remaining. Mohamed Amoura burst into the box, but failed to generate enough curl on his effort, allowing Mpasi-Nzau to make a comfortable save.
At the other end, Zineddine Belaid made a crucial intervention, getting a vital touch to divert the ball away from Fiston Mayele, who was lurking just a yard from goal.
In added time, with fatigue setting in but determination undiminished, the intensity rose. Mpasi-Nzau was called into action repeatedly, producing two outstanding saves from close range to deny Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah.
Next up for the Algerians is a mouth-watering clash against the Super Eagles of Nigeria on Saturday in Marrakech. Both sides last meeting on this stage was at the semi finals of the 2019 edition, which the North Africans won 2-1, courtesy of a sublime Riyad Mahrez free kick.
