Kenya’s return to the African Cup of Nations after a 15-year absence started on the wrong foot after they went down 2-0 to Algeria in a largely one-sided group C match played at Air Defence Stadium in Cairo Egypt on Sunday 23rd June.
The Desert Foxes got the opener in the 34th minute through Baghdad Bounedjah who converted from the penalty spot after Dennis Odhiambo Omino fouled Youcef Attal inside the penalty area. Riyad Mahrez then made it 2-0 in the 43rd minute when his shot was deflected home by Abud Omar.
The North Africans started on a high and inside the first minute, they nearly went ahead when Baghdad Bounedjah. The attacker was put through on goal but the Al Sadd man failed to keep his composure shooting over the bar. Moments later, a vital touch from Kenya keeper Patrick Matasi put the ball out for a corner with Baghdad ready to thunder home.
The Algerians continued raiding Kenya in search of an opener while Migne’s charges opted to sit deep and absorb the pressure from the Desert Foxes. This, in turn, attracted reckless challenges that saw Abud Omar and Philemon Otieno booked inside the first 17 minutes of the match.
Matasi was called into action in the 24th minute to deny Algeria again. A sweeping move from the North Africans saw Sofiane Feghouli set up Youcef Belaili but the keeper was up to the task blocking the thunderbolt much to Kenyans’ relief.
The North Africans’ pressure finally yielded fruits in the 34th minute. OGC Nice right-back Youcef Atal danced his way into the Kenyan’s penalty area and went down from the slightest of challenges from Dennis Odhiambo. The referee pointed to the spot and Baghdad Bounedjah stepped forward to send Matasi the wrong way giving Algeria a deserved lead. He had a chance to double his side’s lead moments later when he received a cross from the left flank but his header went over the bar.
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Things went from bad to worse for Kenya in the 43rd minute when the Algerians grabbed their second of the match. Riyad Mahrez fired home via an Abud Omar deflection after he had been set up by Ismael Bennacer on the felt flank. The Desert foxes took a 2-0 lead to the break.
Watch Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez double the lead in their AFCON opener…#AFCON2019 #ManCity https://t.co/JL8Q1c2hS3
— Man City | Superbia (@SuperbiaProeIia) June 23, 2019
Kenya coach Sebastien Migne responded by taking off a visibly ineffective Francis Kahata at the restart for Sweden based left-back Erick Ouma as he looked to solidify his backline and prevent the Desert Foxes from scoring more goals. The Algerians, however, continued running the proceedings with Belali, Feghouli Bennacer and Mahrez proving to be a thorn to Kenya’s rearguard.
Stars showed more stability as the clock ticked by defending solidly and making some rare forays up front. The sparse attacks, however, amounted to nothing like lack of coordination among the attackers saw the half chances go to waste.
Kenya won a couple of late goals but Ayub Timbe’s deliveries went begging each time and in the end, Stars went down courtesy of the first half double. Next for Kenya is a match against Tanzania on Thursday 27th while Algeria will face Senegal on the same day.
