CHAN 2024: Bayazid’s late strike rescues Algeria in tense draw with Guinea

A dramatic late goal from Sofiane Bayazid salvaged a point for Algeria in a tense 1-1 draw with Guinea at Namboole Stadium, leaving Group C’s quarter-final race delicately poised.

In a contest rich with attacking intent and playoff implications, Ismael Camara’s 62nd-minute opener had seemingly put Guinea on course for a vital win, only for Bayazid to pounce in the 87th minute, ensuring the Desert Warriors remain firmly in the qualification hunt.

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From the first whistle, the much-anticipated tie lived up to its billing.

Guinea, chasing their second win of the tournament, wasted no time in pressing forward.

Within three minutes, Moussa Camara danced into the Algerian box, his cutback blocked by captain Ayoub Ghezala before the resulting corner came to nothing.

The Wakyira Athletic Club forward remained a constant threat, nearly finding Aboubacar with a clever backheel in the seventh minute, only for the latter’s effort to drift inches wide.

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Algeria’s response was swift. In the 10th minute, Aimen Mahious latched onto Mohammed Halaimia’s weighted delivery, only for Mory Keita to clear off the line.

Mahious had two further chances, blazing over in the 14th minute before narrowly heading wide from Zakaria Draoui’s cross in the 19th minute.

The Desert Warriors continued to probe.

Abdennour Iheb’s towering header struck Mohamed Bangoura on the half-hour mark, while Draoui’s diving effort in the 34th minute was tipped over by Keita.

Guinea, however, remained dangerous on the counter, with Al Hassane Bangoura flashing wide and Moussa Camara testing Zakaria Bouhalfaya at the stroke of halftime.

The second half opened with both sides upping the tempo, each sensing the match’s importance.

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Guinea struck first when Camara capitalised on Messala Merbah’s loose touch, driving past two defenders before rifling a low shot beyond Bouhalfaya.

Sensing danger, Algeria coach Majid Bougherra turned to his bench, introducing Soufiane Bekkour and Tayeb Meziani.

The injection of pace and width re-energised the Algerian attack. Soufiane went close with a volley, Draoui saw a long-range effort blocked, and substitute Dayaeddine Mechid twice tested the Guinea rearguard.

Guinea could have sealed the points 15 minutes from time when Kabinte Kouyate broke free, only for Ghezala’s intervention to keep Algeria alive. That reprieve proved decisive.

Three minutes from time, Algeria found their breakthrough. A lapse in Guinea’s defence allowed Ben Tahar to slip a pass to Bayazid, who coolly slotted past Keita to the delight of the Algerian fans.

The result leaves Algeria second with five points, while Guinea sit on four, tied alongside South Africa ensuring the fight for a quarter-final berth will go down to the final round of fixtures.