Saifi’s Algeria held by South Africa as winless run extends to three matches

Algeria U23 were held to a 1-1 draw by South Africa in their second friendly within three days, leaving Rafik Saifi’s side without a victory in their past three matches.

The result came at the Petrus Molemela Stadium on Sunday, after Algeria had lost 3-1 to the same opponents in Bloemfontein on Thursday. The Amaglug-glug took the lead in the 33rd minute before Ben Ahmed Kohili equalised three minutes later.

Algeria were without Anis Ouzenadji, the 19-year-old Troyes player who missed the match through injury. Despite that absence, the visitors responded quickly after falling behind.

Karim Boutera, 21, who plays for Degerfors, delivered a long cross-field pass from the right into the path of Kohili. The MC Alger forward went past the South African goalkeeper before finishing into the net in the 36th minute.

The match later became more heated after Mokrane Bentoumi of Roda JC was struck on the back of the head by a South African player, according to Young Talent AAF. A video published by the same source showed a brief confrontation between the players before the referee intervened to restore order.

The draw means Algeria U23 have now gone three games without a win. Across those matches, they have scored three goals and conceded seven.

Their recent run began in June, when Saifi’s team lost 3-1 to Mauritania in Annaba. That defeat followed a 2-0 victory in the first match of the two-game meeting between the sides against the Mourabitounes.

Although Algeria won that first encounter, they have been unable to build on it, with the latest trip to South Africa producing a defeat and a draw in the space of three days. Their performances in the three matches have also failed to convince.