Algeria Crowned 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Champions

The Desert Foxes are the AFCON champions after beating Senegal 1-0 at the Cairo International Stadium.

Baghdad Bounedjah’s second minute deflected effort handed Algeria the title as they clinched their maiden crown since 1990.

The first shot for Senegal into the game came courtesy of Mbaye Niang in the 20th minute but the forward fired his effort wide of the target.

Henri Saivet came close in the 29th minute with a shot from distance but Rais M’Bholi managed to tip the striker’s effort over the bar.

Algeria had a second piece of action in the 18-yard area that saw Riyad Mahrez head off target from a corner four minutes to halftime.

The second half started off with Sofiane Feghouli nearly doubling Desert Foxes’ lead as the winger tried to catch Alfred Gomis off his line but the winger’s lobbed effort sailed over the bar.

Mahrez tried his luck from range three minutes later but the Algeria skipper fired his effort high over the bar.

Sadio Mane came close to equalising for Teranga Lions in the 54th minute but the Liverpool forward deflected effort went just wide of the right-hand post.

Senegal were given a penalty when Adlene Guedioura appeared to have handled inside the area. However, the set-play was overturned after the referee consulted with the Video Assistant Referee.

Henri Saviet tried his luck from range in the 81st minute but Rais did well to deny the Senegal striker.

Aisa Mnadi came to his side’s rescue in the 86th minute as he cleared a goal-bound header off the line, to sustain his side’s lead.

The Senegalese threatened in the closing minutes but were unable to outmuscle the Algerian defence, as the North African held on for their second Africa Cup of Nations title and first since 1990.