Equatorial Guinea ended Algeria’s 35-match unbeaten run on Sunday at the Japoma Stadium through Esteban Fernandez only goal and set up a cracker against Sierra Leone.

Fernandez guided his effort past Rais Mbolhi to beat the defending champions, and in the process, stop their impressive unbeaten run.

As a result, the holders must win against the Ivory Coast in their final Group E match to progress to the last sixteen of the continental showpiece.

The Nzalang Nacional came into the match following their narrow defeat to Cote d’Ivoire, and they battle with the highly fancied Algerians.

Goalkeeper Owono Ngua had to be at his best to keep out the Desert Foxes who brought in Slimani and Brahimi as they look to rescue their unbeaten run.

The Desert Foxes came into the match on the back of their goalless stalemate against Sierra Leone in the first match.

A positive result for the Nzalang Nacional ahead of their decider against Sierra Leone, who played to a 2-2 draw against the Ivory Coast earlier on Sunday.

Sierra Leone with two points from two games, while the Ivorians top the group with four points to their name.

However, the Elephants must avoid defeat against defending champions Algeria on Thursday (16:00 GMT).

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Bo Rangers striker Musa Noah Kamara and Alhaji Kamara scored their first African Cup of Nations goals for Sierra Leone in the 2-2 draw against Ivory Coast at the Japoma Stadium in Douala.

Sierra Leone started very slow as their counterpart Ivory Coast took the lead through Ajax striker Sébastien Haller in the 25-minutes before Musa Kamara’s 55th-minute leveller.

The Les Elephant wasted several chances before Nicolas Pépé, who was named Man of the Match, doubled the scoreline.

A last-gasp equaliser from another Kamara, Randers striker Alhaji Kamara collected a pass from former England International Steven Caulker to slot in as Sierra leone draws parity. 

Both sides played their part in an enthralling match, which saw Ivory Coast miss an early penalty but then lead twice before Sierra Leone hit back.

Keeper Mohamed Kamara, who won the opener Man of the Match, was at his best today after saving Ivory Coast first penalty. After 10 minutes, the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire earned a penalty after Wilfried Zaha was knocked down in the box by defender Osma Konate. But the Sierra Leone goalkeeper was up to the task when he reacted well to stop Franck Yannick Kessie’s spot-kick placed in the bottom right corner.

Experienced Kei Kamara made a vital goal-line clearance which could have changed the storyline for Sierra Leone.

Tention was mounting at the end when Cote d’Ivoire, in added time, brought in their skipper Serge Aurier, who was forced to go in goal after goalkeeper Sangare was carried off injured following his mistake.

Sierra Leone with two points from two games, while the Ivorians top the group with four points to their name.

However, the Elephants have a tough mountain to climb against defending champions Algeria on Thursday (16:00 GMT).

What they said

Nicolas Pépé (Cote d’Ivoire): TotalEnergies Man of the Match

” It’s good to have had this trophy but I would have preferred to have the three points of victory to ensure our qualification in the second round this evening. Now we have to go and keep working to make a big game against a big team from Algeria. We have to put out a big performance because the objective is to finish first in the group.

John Keister, Sierra Leone coach:

“Honestly, I wouldn’t have believed it if someone had told me that we would have two points against these great teams of Algeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Now we have managed to do it, we must continue to work to succeed in our participation in this competition, 25 years later, it is not a question of changing our objective along the way, above all we have a great match to deliver against Equatorial Guinea, after that we will advise, the work must continue especially at the level of the defensive organization, we have conceded far too many chances this evening (Sunday evening) unlike our match against Algeria.

Patrick Beaumelle, Cote d’Ivoire coach:

“Our dressing room remained silent, heads are low, we just gave two points, as a gift. What can be done in terms of organization on this second goal, I still do not understand, what happened, I continue to search, it is also the charm of the Africa Cup of Nations. On the other hand, we must continue to work to improve our efficiency with 18 chances, it was enough to score the 30 per cent to take cover.”

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Liverpool star Sadio Mane converted a penalty deep in added time to snatch a fortunate 1-0 win for Senegal over Zimbabwe in the Africa Cup of Nations Group B opener on Monday in Bafoussam.

Disaster struck the gallant underdogs when a shot hit the right arm of Kelvin Madzongwe and Mane sent goalkeeper Petros Mhari the wrong way with the resulting penalty on 97 minutes to settle a lacklustre affair.

While Senegal, one of the favourites to win a competition delayed twice by Covid-19, dominated possession, they rarely threatened to break down a well-organised Zimbabwe defence.

Group B continues later on Monday when Guinea will be slight favourites to overcome Malawi and join Senegal at the top of the table.

Senegal lacked Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly, who are recovering in Cameroon after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Zimbabwe travelled to central Africa without a couple of their top players, Marvelous Nakamba from Aston Villa and fellow midfielder Marshall Munetsi from French Ligue 1 outfit Reims, due to injuries.

With reigning African Footballer of the Year Mane and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Idrissa Gueye in the starting line-up, Senegal were expected to secure maximum points without undue difficulty.

The opening 20 minutes were controlled by the Teranga Lions, who camped in the Zimbabwe half and passed the ball casually while their opponents did a lot of chasing at a sparsely populated Stade de Kouekong.

Senegal issued a declaration of their intentions within 45 seconds of the kick-off in 30 degrees celsius (86 fahrenheit) heat when Bouna Sarr fired narrowly wide from just outside the box.

Sarr from German and European giants Bayern Munich went even closer midway through the opening half with a shot across the goal that was just off target.

After a quiet start, Mane burst between two defenders on 24 minutes only to see his low shot, aimed at the far corner of the net, blocked by goalkeeper Petros Mhari.

As the half progressed Zimbabwe began to move into Senegalese territory and should have done better from a free-kick inside the D with 30 minutes gone.

Captain Knowledge Musona took the set-piece and should have at least found the target instead of watching his tame attempt go harmlessly wide.

As half-time approached in the western highlands of Cameroon, Mane turned provider, setting up unmarked Gueye, who was let down by his first touch as he was poised to shoot at goal.

A goalless opening half ended with Senegal back on the attack and Fode Ballo Toure firing into the side netting.

The second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Senegal dominated possession without seriously threatening to take the lead.

Mhari rescued Zimbabwe 16 minutes from time when he dived to cut off a cross destined for Mane at the far post.

Senegal survived a scare as full-time loomed with a Zimbabwe free-kick creating a half-chance before the ball was grasped by goalkeeper Seny Dieng.

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