Eleventh Hour Miracle: Only way out for bottom placed Algeria

How time flies indeed. Back in 2019 Nations Cup in Egypt, it was Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez that denied Senegal victory in the finals with his superb strike. A lone goal and that was the end of the story.

His countrymen jubilated all night. But at the ongoing 2021 edition in Cameroon things are not looking up for the defending Champions and Mahrez must again lift Algeria any how he deems fit or they face sensational exit after first round.

With just a point in the kitty and having Ivory Coast to play on Thursday, it is apparent that it won’t be a smooth sail even with the Ivorians leading Group E with 4 points. The loss to Equatorial Guinea in one of the upsets of the tournament so far is still reverberating among soccer fans

Ivory Coast have met Algeria eight times in the flagship African championship from 1968 and won three, drew three and lost two.

Instead of an expected cruise into the round of 16, the defending champions have just one point from two matches and trail Ivory Coast (four), Equatorial Guinea (three) and Sierra Leone (two).

READ ALSO Why we lost to Equatorial Guinea, says Algeria coach Belmadi

While Algeria are fighting for survival in Douala on Thursday, Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone square off in nearby Limbe knowing maximum points for either side will secure a second-round place.

The way it stands early exit stars Algeria in the face. The only way out is to record a resounding victory against Ivory Coast with even a better goal margin while hoping that giants killers Equatorial Guinea  blunder against Sierra Leone.

The odds certainly favour table toppers Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.