Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic praised his team’s determination after a tense 1-0 win over Burkina Faso secured their spot in the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations knockout stages.
Riyad Mahrez’s calm penalty in the 23rd minute proved decisive, putting the Fennecs top of Group E with six points from back-to-back triumphs.
Petkovic noted the match’s intensity, saying, “As a first, it has been a really hard match with two strong teams who fought for 90 minutes for everything on the pitch. We were slightly better in taking advantage of taking the opportunity we got.”
The game turned physical early, with Juan Hadjam sidelined injured after 13 minutes and replaced by Baghdad Bounedjah. Rayan Aït-Nouri earned the spot-kick after a foul by Ismahila Ouedraogo, and Mahrez delivered under pressure. Algeria pressed in the second half, Ibrahim Maza and Aït-Nouri came close, but Burkina Faso’s keeper Kouakou Koffi stood firm, while Georgi Minoungou nearly equalized with a curling shot.
Petkovic commended Burkina Faso’s effort, adding, “I think Burkina Faso will be successful if they continue playing the way they did tonight. Congratulations to my team. Despite having lacked a bit of in the closing matches, we continued working hard and secured the victory and qualification.”
Algeria now faces Equatorial Guinea, while Burkina Faso meets Sudan on New Year’s Eve
