Africa’s reigning champions Algeria claimed their second Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) title last year in Egypt, lifting the trophy for the first time in almost 30 years.
‘Les Fennecs’, as Algeria are known, led by Djamel Belmadi defied all odds and had a memorable path to their second continental glory.
They had their maiden trophy at home in 1990, after losing the final to hosts Nigeria ten years earlier.
Algeria 1990
Les Fennecs won their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) trophy when they hosted the tournament in 1990.
They did that in the best of ways, winning all of their five games en route to glory. Algeria opened the tournament with a 5-1 win over Nigeria, before defeating Ivory Coast 3-0 and regional rivals Egypt 2-0 respectively. In the semifinals, they overcame Senegal 2-1, before beating Nigeria once again in the final, this time through Cherif Oudjani lone goal in the opening half.
Egypt 2019
Les Fennecs won people’s hearts with their outstanding performances in Egypt to claim their second Afcon title, the inaugural 24-team format.
They finished Group C with maximum points, after three victories over Kenya (2-0), Senegal (1-0) and Tanzania (3-0).
A 3-0 win over Guinea in the Round of 16 saw them reaching the quarterfinals, where they defeated Ivory Coast 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in full time.
Riyad Mahrez scored five minutes into injury time as Algeria cruised 2-1 over Nigeria in the semis. In the final, Algeria needed a second-minute goal from Baghdad Bounedjah to defeat Senegal once again 1-0 and claim the trophy in style.
In partnership with ANA and Sports Leo
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