Not seen since the sad evening of March 29, the Algerians made their comeback and faced Uganda for the first day of qualifying for CAN 2023.
They wanted to redeem themselves, for the public who support them, for the coach they defended, and for their pride damaged by elimination at the gates of the 2022 World Cup.
In a rather new 4-3-3 composed by Djamel Belmadi, Zeghba takes place in the cages. In defense, it is a Benayada – Mandi – Touba – Bensebaïni quartet which is responsible for containing the opposing offensives. In the midfield, the trio Zorgane – Bennacer – Zerrouki must dominate the midfield and best serve the attackers Ghezzal, on the right, Belaïli, on the left, and Slimani, at the forefront.
In the end, it was with a fairly dull meeting, but dominated by the Greens, that this Algeria-Uganda ended. Mandi and Belaïli, the two scorers, allowed EN to start their qualification campaign for CAN 2023 as well as possible, and that is ultimately all that matters!
Mustapha Zeghba (6,5): He didn’t have much to do but did it well. On a penalty (severe) conceded by Rachid Ghezzal, Zeghba relaxes and lets his leg drag, which allows to preserve the score.
Houcine Benayada (5,5): He centers, a lot, combines, sometimes, and is always combative. At times rough, it is despite everything a correct match for the right side of the Greens, who became a starter in the absence of Youcef Atal.
Aissa Mandi (7): He too had a difficult season at club and national level. Against Uganda, Mandi was very clean and scored especially in the first half. Reassuring.
Ahmed Touba (7): His entry once morest Cameroon had made him a great hope for the future. For his premiere at the Stade du 5 Juillet 1962, Touba will have done his job very well.
Rama Bensebaïni (4,5): Not on a good night. Warned for a clearly avoidable fault, he will have missed most of his gestures. Replaced by Abdelkader Bedrane at 83′.
Adem Zorgane (5): He had a great opportunity to get back into the small papers of his coach and if he was voluntary, Zorgane was clearly not the most prominent Algerian midfielder. Replaced at 80′ by Sofiane Bendebka.
Ramiz Zerrouki (6): He too had seen the criticism fall on him following the elimination of the Greens once morest Cameroon, and it will have been important to him to raise the bar. He was available, involved, good in recovery and recovery.
Ismaël Bennacer (6,5): The AC Milan midfielder did his job, with seriousness and application. He often went overboard by using his quality of shot, as on his attempt at 70 ‘.
Rachid Ghezzal (5): He tried, a lot, but did not succeed. Too bad for Ghezzal, who nevertheless has the chance to play left and right. Replaced at 69′ by Adam Ounaswho has played very little in Naples this season but who has been responsible for waking up the stadium with his explosive and very successful entry.
Youcef Belaili (8): The man of the match! Exceptional in the first half, he took the free kick that led to Mandi’s goal and might have scored himself on an exceptional bicycle. In the second half, he was initially more discreet but finally took charge of changing things following having dribbled past 4 players and saw his strike end up in the back of the net. Replaced at 80′ by Billal Brahiminow officially international A.
Islam Slimani (5): He has played very little in recent months and it shows. Clumsy, rather clumsy, he did not shine much contrary to his habit. Replaced at 69′ by Mohamed El Amine Amourawho did not bring much offensively even if he was useful in the pressing.
DZfoot
