Algeria faced another setback in the ongoing AFCON 2023, finding themselves trailing twice against Burkina Faso on Saturday before securing a hard-fought draw (2-2), thanks to a remarkable double by Baghdad Bounedjah.
While the Al-Sadd striker salvaged the match, notably equalizing with a header in the 95th minute, and continued to showcase his individual brilliance in the tournament, several Fennecs made critical errors.
Aïssa Mandi and Youcef Atal faltered on the opening score, and Rayan Aït-Nouri conceded a penalty converted by Bertrand Traoré. Despite acknowledging these mistakes, Bounedjah displayed grace by refraining from blaming his teammates after the final whistle.
“I don’t want to incriminate anyone because we play as a team,” expressed the former Etoile du Sahel forward during a post-match interview. “When I score, it gives me confidence, but the first thing to do is to defend with my teammates,” he added, emphasizing the collective responsibility in the game.
Bounedjah’s performance not only showcased his goal-scoring prowess but also highlighted his commitment to the team’s defensive efforts throughout the match.
The 2019 African champions aim to leverage this collective mindset in their quest for victory and qualification for the round of 16 in the upcoming group match against Mauritania on Tuesday.
As Algeria navigates the challenges of the tournament, Bounedjah’s sportsmanship and focus on team cohesion offer a beacon of hope for the Fennecs as they strive to advance in the competition.
