Bensebaini and Algeria begin AFCON campaign with a draw

Ramy Bensebaini (photo: imago images / MB Media Solutions) and the Algeria national team were made to do with a goalless draw to begin their Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Bensebaini played the whole game as Algeria drew 0-0 with Sierra Leone in their Group E meeting in Cameroon.

The defending champions Algeria struggled to assert their dominance in the first half. In temperatures of over 30 degrees in Douala, it was Sierra Leone who enjoyed the better goalscoring chances. After the change of ends, “Les Verts” came better into the game, but saw their efforts either miss the target or saved by the impressive Kamara in the Sierra Leone goal. Bensebaini missed a chance to give his side the win during added time. After a switch ball, the full back struck a right-footed effort towards goal, but his effort was held by Kamara.

The goalless draw sees Algeria’s unbeaten run grow to 35 games. On Sunday 16th January (20:00 CET), Bensebaini and his team take on Equatorial Guinea, before facing Ivory Coast in the final group game on Thursday 20th January (17:00 CET). The top two sides from each group will qualify for the last 16, with the four best third-placed teams also qualifying from the group stage.