CHAN 2024: Algeria face must-win clash against Niger after Guinea stalemate

Algeria’s hopes of reaching the quarter-finals of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) rest on a decisive final group match against Niger, after being held to a 1-1 draw by Guinea in Kampala.

Madjid Bougherra’s side, who have now drawn two of their three group fixtures, missed the chance to seal early qualification and must win on Monday to guarantee a place in the last eight.

The draw leaves Algeria in second place in Group C, narrowly ahead of South Africa, and just behind leaders Uganda.

Friday’s encounter at the Mandela National Stadium saw Guinea take the lead on 62 minutes, when Ismaël Camara punished a defensive lapse.

Algeria responded late, with Sofiane Bayazid equalising in the 88th minute, but despite sustained pressure they failed to convert chances into victory.

The result meant that qualification, which could have been secured three days earlier, remains in the balance.

For Bougherra, the frustration lay not only in the points dropped but in his team’s inability to make their dominance count.

All the matches we played were difficult, he said. It was a difficult match, on a demanding pitch. We lacked physical condition and realism in front of goal. Several opportunities to kill the match presented themselves, but we did not exploit them. In local African football, finishing remains an area for improvement.

The coach admitted that limited preparation time and the challenge of difficult playing surfaces had hindered his squad.

Yet he reserved criticism for his forwards, calling on them to sharpen their efficiency in decisive moments, especially against well-organised sides like Guinea.

At the same time, Bougherra praised the resilience of his players, noting their refusal to surrender after falling behind. Even if we weren’t having a great day, we didn’t give up. We continued to push until the end, and it’s this state of mind that can take us far, he said.

Looking ahead to the meeting with Niger, he was unequivocal: If we want to qualify, we have to win this match. Destiny is in our hands. The important thing will be to score early to make things easier for ourselves. We still have the means to rectify this and get back on the path to victory.

Algeria will take to the field at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Monday evening knowing that three points will secure their progression, regardless of the result between Uganda and South Africa, who face each other simultaneously in Kampala.

A draw would likely be enough for qualification, but victory could even see Algeria top the group should Uganda falter.

The equation is clear: only a win will allow Algeria to avoid uncertainty and reassert themselves as genuine contenders in a tournament where consistency has so far eluded them.