Algeria 1 – Tanzania 1: “The Greens miss the mark at home in first Africa Cup of Nations' qualifier”

The Algerian national football squad were held Friday night to a one-all draw by a modest Tanzania team at the Tchaker stadium of Blida in their first-leg qualifier as part of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations' competition.  

• According to all sports commentators, the Algerian players lacked proper concentration and were too hectic on the pitch and did not finally succeed in wrenching a much-awaited victory over the national Tanzania team which spent all the time during the 90 minutes or so of play valiantly defending its net.
• The Algerians were taken aback by a beautiful goal scored on the 34th minute on a free-kick shot by Tanzanian midfielder Kassim Abid who left no chance to goalkeeper Mbolhi from a distance of about 30 meters.
• Afterwards, the Algerian players resolutely rushed again on the offensive and their strenuous efforts were finally crowned with success with a gorgeous equalizer scored on the 44th minute of the first half by energetic midfielder Adlène Guedioura.
• The entire nerve-wracking second half was literally dominated by the surging Algerian players but their countless offensive spurts launched in a helter-skelter way proved unproductive owing to a potent and well-organized Tanzanian defense line which was firmly on the look-out of every Algerian scoring opportunity until the referee’s final whistle.
• Now, with the unfortunate loss of two precious points at home, the ball is now in the camp of national coach Rabah Saâdane who should revamp his strategy of play and his line-up before things go further downhill for the Algeria squad in this Africa Cup of Nations’ qualifying round.