Algeria win 2019 AFCON with early goal over Senegal

Algeria won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the second time on Friday when a fortuitous second-minute goal gave them a 1-0 win over Senegal in the final.

Baghdad Bounedjah stunned Senegal with a shot which took a wicked deflection off a defender and looped over the bewildered goalkeeper Alfred Gomis and into the net.

Algeria sat back after that and the first half turned into a scrappy, bad-tempered affair as Senegal, who have never won the title, failed to threaten their defence.

Senegal were awarded a penalty for handball in the second half but the decision was revoked following a VAR review.

Ismaila Sarr missed Senegal’s best chance by volleying wide from inside the area.

Algeria last won the AFCON in 1990, beating Nigeria 1-0 to lift their first AFCON title.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria had earlier won the third place match on Wednesday, beating Tunisia to pick the bronze medal. (Reuters/NAN)