AFCON 2021 – Algeria 0-0 Sierra Leone, underdogs frustrate defending champions in their Group E opener in Douala

Freetown | 11 January 2021 | Vertex Media

Group E Afcon opening match between reigning champions Desert Foxes of Algeria and Leone Stars of Sierra Leone ended in a goalless draw in Douala on Tuesday afternoon. Lowly rated Sierra Leone had to face the tournament’s favorites and in-formed Algeria in their opener after making a return to the Africa Cup of Nations finals for the first time in 25 years.

Algeria who have enjoyed one of the longest unbeaten runs in the world, were stunned by the tournament’s underdogs, Sierra Leone.

Going into the match, Sierra Leone was ranked at 108th in the current FIFA World ranking and at 25th in Africa, while Algeria were ranked at 29th in the FIFA World ranking and 3rd in Africa. In addition to Algeria, they are the Afcon reigning champions, and they are the recent FIFA Arab Cup champions, who have enjoyed 35 games unbeaten run. Therefore, holding them to a goalless draw, has sent shockwaves throughout the Afcon tournament and the world as a whole.

Sierra Leone started off with an attacking first half, which saw strikes from Denmark based striker Alhaji Kamara and China based forward Mohamed Buya Turay failed to find the net. It was a dominance first 45 minutes by the Sierra Leonean side.

A determined second half Algerian side took the game to the Sierra Leonean defence with several attempts to destabilize the Leone Stars, but the Sierra Leonean Goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara kept the Foxes at bay with incredible saves. He stopped strikes from classic Mahrez, Benrhama, Bounedja, Belaili, Brahimi, etc.

Mohamed who plays for Sierra Leonean Premier League side East End Lions FC, was awarded the Man of The Match award for his outstanding performance (7 saves and 4 clearance out of the 18yard box).

Brilliant performances were also seen from other key Sierra Leonean players like debutant Steven Caulker, John Bankole Kamara, Kelvin Wright, Alhaji Kamara, captain Umaru Bangura, Kei Kamara, etc.

Leone Stars Head Coach John Keister made two changes in the second half by introducing Saidu Fofanah and Sulaiman Kaikai for Alhaji Kamara and Mohamed Buya Turay respectively.

Sierra Leone currently sit on 2nd position in Group E, equalled in points with Algeria (1 point and 0 goal each), while other Group E teams, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea are set for their first match on Wednesday, 12 January.