2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN): Algeria 1-0 Libya

Algeria started its 2022 African Nations Championship campaign with a 1-0 win over Libya at the newly inaugurated Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers in the opening match of the tournament.

After a scoreless first half, Algeria broke the deadlock in the 57th minute after Aymen Mahious obtained and converted a penalty. The USM Algiers striker pounced on an errant back pass and was brought down in the box by Libya’s goalkeeper Muad Ellafi. The 25-year old stepped up and cooly slotted home from the spot to give the Desert Foxes the lead.

Libya had a number of chances to equalize in the final 30 minutes, including a shot from Ali Salama which came off the post but Algeria held on for the all-important win.

Midfielder Houssem Mrezigue, who put in a industrious shift in the center of the park, was chosen as the Player of the Match.

Algeria will face Ethiopia next on Tuesday, while Libya takes on Mozambique.

Algeria 1-0 Libya
Goals: Aymen Mahious (57’)
ALG: Alexis Guendouz, Mokhtar Belkhiter, Zinedine Belaid, Youcef Laouafi, Zakaria Draoui, Houssem Mrezigue, Ahmed Kendouci, Abderrahmane Meziane, Aimen Lahmeri (Chouaib Debbih 71’, Fethallah Tahar 90’), Aymen Mahious (Karim Aribi 61’)

🏅 Houssem Mrezigue is the Man of the Match in Algeria's 1-0 win over Libya in the opening match of the 2022 African Nations Championship #TeamDZ #CHAN2022 pic.twitter.com/R7EI1Vk2H0

— Algeria FC 🇩🇿⚽️ (@Algeria_FC) January 13, 2023

AlgeriaFC.com