Riyad Mahrez plays for English Premier League giants Manchester City and is one of the stars representing their countries at the Afcon in Cameroon

Afcon Result

Sierra Leone 0-0 Algeria

Algeria are the defending champions of the Afcon and their opening fixture against Sierra Leone did not live up to the pre match hype.

The North Africans appeared to have taken their opponents for a ride with little pace on their game.

As witnessed in the earlier games involving some of the favourites to claim this championship, Senegal left it late with a penalty from Sadio Mane and hosts Cameroon with two penalties, players appearing worn out and slow on pace.

Algeria has one of the English Premier League’s exciting forwards in Riyadh Mahrez who turns out for Manchester City. Who many believe should stake a claim on this tournament.

They also possess within their ranks Galatasaray winger Sofiana Feghouli.

Prolific Lyon forward Islam Slimani lined up against the Afcon minnows Sierra Leone. This is a rich wealth of attack for the Greens. 

Mahrez and his colleagues had plenty in their midst to kill off the game but ran short of ideas.

The North African side registered 19 goal attempts with 8 on target and 5 off target. The Sierra Leone goalkeeper who walked away with the man of the match award heroically stopped Algeria forwards on three occasions. 

However, it was Salone who put the ball in the net first through Mohamed Buya Turay. Turay saw his celebration cut short when the assistant referee ruled out for offside.

Algeria then turned the heat on the West Africans. Mahrez saw his attempts on helping his side claim three points stopped by the all-action Kamara.

Kamara was at it again when he stopped Bendebka’s header. Algeria will have to do more than they have exhibited tonight.

They can’t afford to be wasteful in front of goal. They are doing well getting the ball to their forwards but the end product tells a different story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-Nt_xZ109k&t=172s