Bon Djamel Belmadi’s birthday. On her 46th birthday, the Algeria coach finally won, thanks to a goal from Islam Slimani (41st), in this Japoma stadium, in Douala, where she had completely missed her African Cup, two months earlier. Indeed, the Fennecs took up the challenge of their first play-off in Cameroon (1-0) and took an option for qualification for the World Cup.
Algeria smiles again
Eliminated in the first round of the last CAN, while the “Greens” were defending champions, this time they won inside Douala, where a failure of some projectors led to the interruption of the match for seven minutes, at the start of the second period. Belmadi’s three-man defense perfectly closed the access to the goal of the “Indomitable Lions”, in a stadium where Algeria had suffered the law of Côte d’Ivoire (3-1).
Very generous Islam Slimani opened the scoring with a powerful header from a free kick by Youcef Belaïli André Onana touched her, but could not prevent her from entering. The Sporting Portugal striker confirms his status as the selection’s top scorer, with this 40th international goal. The Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper had already had to make a huge save against Slimani, who arrived alone after stealing the ball from Michael Ngadeu (14th).
Cameroon misses its play-off at home
On the other hand Rigobert Song missed his first on the bench of Cameroon. Legendary player turned coach, despite his inexperience, the former captain did not really manage to shake up the “Greens”. Called a month ago to replace the Portuguese Toni Conceiçao, Song had notably established Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting, angry with the Portuguese coach. But on the best period of Cameroon, “Choupo” devoured a four against three (25th). Otherwise the duo Vincent Aboubakar-Karl Toko-Ekambi, 13 goals between them at the CAN, did not achieve much. African record holder of participation in the World Cup, with seven contested editions, Cameroon must turn the tide in Blida on Tuesday if it wants to play eighth in the world.
