Algeria’s win boost Malawi’s chances

Algeria’s 3-1 win over Ethiopia on Saturday night further boosted Flames’ 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification hopes.

The Desert Fennecs were the first team to secure qualification to the African soccer fiesta which left the other three teams—Mali, Malawi and Ethiopia—fighting for Group B’s remaining slot. A win or a draw for Ethiopia, would have put the Flames in a precarious position.

The Flames are tied on six points with Mali, but it is the Eagles who occupy the second position courtesy of their four-goal better aggregate.

Flames coach Young Chimodzi said yesterday the result in Blida gave the Flames an added advantage going into their last fixture against Ethiopia on Wednesday in Addis Ababa.

“We could not have asked for anything better because Algeria already qualified and their win meant that Ethiopia’s qualification chances have been further dampened.

“I would say realistically the battle for the remaining slot is now between us and Mali,” said Chimodzi.

He said although a draw could be an option, the Flames will go flat out for a win.

Algeria made it five wins from five games in their qualifying campaign with their victory at the Stade Mustapha Tchaker in Blida.

Goals from Sofiane Feghouli, Riyad Mahrez and Yacine Brahimi moved Algeria up to 15 points, the only team to have won all their games thus far.

Algeria head coach Christian Gourcuff made two changes to the side that beat Malawi last time, with Med Lamine Zemmamouche and Saphir Taider replacing Rais M’Bolhi and Nabil Bentaleb respectively while Bidvest Wits and Ethiopia striker Getaneh Kebede missed the game through suspension.

It was Ethiopia, though, who opened the scoring in the 22nd minute through Omod Okwory who picked up the ball near the half-way line before bursting forward and hitting a right-footed effort past the Algerian glove-man.

Ethiopia continued to live dangerously, but Algeria’s finishing also left a lot to be desired in what was in all a frustrating opening half-an-hour for the hosts.

Algeria now head to Mali in search of the perfect qualifying record ahead of next year’s showpiece in Equatorial Guinea.