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Tag: Mahrez

  • Mahrez sends Algeria into Africa Cup of Nations last-16

    Mahrez sends Algeria into Africa Cup of Nations last-16

    Riyad Mahrez scored a first half penalty as Algeria sealed their place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group E clash in Rabat on Sunday.

    Algeria have six points and will win the group as they cannot be overhauled by either Burkina Faso (3 points) or Sudan (3) following the third round of fixtures in the pool due to the head-to-head rule.

    The Burkinabe meet Sudan in their final clash on Wednesday, while Algeria take on bottom side Equatorial Guinea, who are eliminated.

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    Algeria were awarded a penalty just past the 20-minute mark when Rayan Ait Nouri was felled in the box by Ismahila Ouedraogo, and Mahrez made no mistake as he sent Herve Koffi in the Burkina Faso goal the wrong way.

    Mahrez extended his record as Algeria’s all-time leading scorer at the Cup of Nations with his ninth goal and is also the leading scorer in this edition so far having netted twice in the opening 3-0 win over Sudan.

    The Burkinabe came close to an equaliser just before halftime when Pierre Kabore’s close-range header came back off the post and Algeria were able to scramble the ball to safety.

    Koffi was busy in the Burkina Faso goal and saved from Mohamed Amoura, before Ibrahim Maza forced another good stop and then scuffed a shot wide of the target.

    Luca Zidane, son of France great Zinedine, showed good reactions to keep out a Lassina Traore header late on as Burkina Faso came close to an equaliser.

  • Mahrez eyes strong AFCON showing from Algeria

    Mahrez eyes strong AFCON showing from Algeria

    Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez is confident his side can make up for poor showings at the last two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations as the 2019 champions prepare to begin their campaign in Morocco today.

    The Desert Foxes won their second AFCON title the last time it was played in North Africa, six years ago in Egypt.

    However, their title defence three years later in Cameroon ended in first-round elimination with just a single point, and they also failed to win a match in going out in the group stage in Ivory Coast in 2024.

     “There is no doubt that we were not good at the last two AFCONs but that is in the past now. All that is behind us,” Mahrez said in Rabat, where Algeria play Sudan today. “Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to make up for what has happened and do better. Tomorrow it is time for this generation.”

    Algeria will be aiming to live up to their billing as the fourth-best side in Africa according to the FIFA rankings.

    A strong showing in Morocco will also set them up for the World Cup in North America in six months, after Algeria qualified for the first time since 2014.

    Former Manchester City winger Mahrez, now playing for Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, turns 35 in February and so these tournaments may mark his swansong at international level.

    But he is excited about Algeria’s new generation, including VfL Wolfsburg forward Mohamed Amoura and the goalkeeper Luca Zidane.

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    Son of France legend Zinedine, Luca Zidane was born in Marseille and plays for Granada in the Spanish second division.

    He made his Algeria debut in October and it is hoped he can be the solution to what has been a problem position for coach Vladimir Petkovic.

     “Luca has integrated well into the squad and is trying to give everything for the team,” said Mahrez, who was born in France to an Algerian father and a Moroccan mother. “I know his name is a big weight to carry but he is not letting that get to him.”

    After today’s game, Algeria will also play Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in a tricky Group E, and their path in the knockout phase could be complicated too.

    Winning the section would mean a last-16 tie against the runners-up in Group D which includes Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

    Meanwhile, finishing second would mean a clash with the winners of Group F, which includes reigning champions Cote d’Ivoire  and Cameroon.

  • Mahrez among the scorers as Algeria finish qualifiers in style

    Mahrez among the scorers as Algeria finish qualifiers in style

    Riyad Mahrez was back among the goals for Algeria on Sunday as they completed their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign with a 5-1 home thrashing of Liberia on Sunday.

    Mahrez had not scored for his country in his previous seven outings including their calamitous early exit from the last Cup of Nations finals in Cote d’Ivoire at the start of the year.

    But he contributed the second goal as Algeria fought back after conceding early to register an easy win and finish their Group E campaign with five wins and a draw for a runaway 16-point haul at the top of the standings.

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    They ended eight points ahead of Equatorial Guinea, who lost 3-0 to Togo at the same time but still qualify in second place.

    The qualifiers for the 2025 finals, which Morocco is hosting from Dec. 21, 2025 to Jan. 18, 2026, will be completed on Monday and Tuesday.

    There are five places up for grabs in the 24-team field with 19 countries already qualified for the tournament.