Matchday 8 at the AFCON 2O24 saw three games as the second round of games got into the deep end.
Algeria and Burkina Faso got things going in Group D with a pulsating 2-2 draw at the Stad de la Paix on Saturday evening.
AFCON 2024: Algeria fight back to hold Burkina Faso
The match came alive just before half-time when Edmond Tapsoba found Mohammed Konate who nodded home past Algeria goalkeeper Anthony Mandrea but the flag went up for offside.
After a VAR review, the goal was given and Burkina Faso went into the break in the lead.
Three more goals were scored in the second half with Algeria equalising through Baghdad Bounedjah in the 51st minute but a Bertrand Traore penalty twenty minutes later restored the Stallions' lead.
Any hopes of a victory for Burkina Faso were dashed when Bounedjah got his brace in added time to earn Algeria a share of the spoils.
Angola and Mauritania entertain fans
The second game between Mauritania and Angola turned out to be one of the best games at the tournament so far with the Palancas Negras coming out tops winning the game 3-2.
Gelson Dala gave Angola the lead in the 30 minute but Mauritania hit back to tie the game through Sidi Bounar Amar in the 43rd minute as the team went into the break even.
Angola came out smoking the second half and Dala scored again in the 50th minute for his brace and his team’s second of the game before Gilberto added another to put Angola firmly ahead at 3-1.
Mauritania looked dead and buried at that point but they didn’t let their heads down.
Koita gives Mauritania hope with wonder goal
Aboubakary Koita pulled one goal back for them with a contender for the goal of the tournament.
In the 58th minute, the forward received a pass from teammate Khadim Diaw in his own half, took two strides, and let fly from 30 yards with a ferocious shot that sailed past the hapless Adilson Neblu in goal for Angola.
Mauritania huffed and puffed but could not get an equaliser as Angola ran out 3-2 winners.
Angola goes top of the group with four points ahead of Burkina Faso on goal difference while Algeria and Mauritania are third and fourth respectively.
Tunisia and Mali share the spoils
The last game of the day was the Group E class between Tunisia and Mali which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Mali went ahead in the 10th minute through Lassine Sinayoko as they looked to get their second win of the tournament but were pegged back when Tunisia equalised just ten minutes later as Hamza Rafia found the back of the net to make 1-1.
Both sides could not find the back of the net for the rest of the game as Mali went top of the table with four points while Tunisia, with one point after two games are third behind second placed Namibia who play South Africa on Sunday.
Highlight of the day
Aboubakary Koita's long-range shot which rested in Angola's net is one for the highlight reel and an early ‘Goal of the Tournament' contender.
What next
Matchday 9 sees South Africa take on Namibia in Group E while in Group F, Morocco are up against Congo DR and Zambia takes on Tanzania.
