In a tightly contested encounter, Algeria managed to secure a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso in their second TotalEnergies Group D match on Saturday afternoon. After being held by Angola on the first day, Algeria needed a win to stay alive in the competition.
The Stallions opened the scoring seconds before halftime with a stunning header by Mohamed Konate. However, Baghdad Bounedjah equalized for Algeria in the 51st minute, capitalizing on a defensive mix-up.
Despite Algeria dominating the game in the second half, they failed to convert several opportunities, and Bertrand Traore put Burkina Faso back in the lead with a penalty in the 71st minute.
With seconds left on the clock, Bounedjah rose above his markers, securing a brace and ensuring a 2-2 draw, keeping Algeria's knockout stage hopes alive.
Algeria head coach, Djamel Belmadi, acknowledged the difficulty of the match, stating, “It was a difficult match with a difficult team, but coming out with a draw, we will take that for now.” He expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, especially in the second half.
Belmadi recognized Burkina Faso's pressure and intensity, emphasizing the challenges faced by Algeria. Looking ahead, he highlighted the importance of the earned point and expressed confidence in his team's potential to progress in the competition.
Algeria's final Group D match will be against Angola on Tuesday, January 23, at the Stade de la Paix in Bouake. Belmadi noted that he has identified mistakes made by his team and aims to improve in the upcoming game, expressing optimism about Algeria's prospects in the competition.