Algeria defeated Nigeria in the AFCON 2019 final in Cairo on Friday night with a single goal. Baghdad Bounedjah netted a goal in the early minutes that turned out to be the only goal of the match.
It has been 29 years since Algeria first lifted the Trophy in 1990 when they hosted the tournament.
“I’m very happy. Our whole nation, our people were waiting for this second star for a long time,” said Djamel Belmadi the Algerian Coach.
“It’s our first Cup of Nations won away from home. It’s incredible especially when you look at where we came from.
“I took over a team that was really struggling. To do what we’ve been able to do, and to put ourselves on the top of Africa in 10 months, is extraordinary.”
Senegal had already played Algeria in the group stages and lost 1-0. As the highest-ranked team in Africa not winning the crown was a hard pill to swallow. Their quest for a first continental crown will continue.