Algeria 1- Libya 0 : “Last minute win for the Fennecs”

Algeria outclassed Libya in the dying moments of their clash in Casablanca, thanks to a salutary goal by striker Hillal Soudani in the first leg of their last round Africa Nations Cup 2013 qualifier. The match was played Sunday evening in neutral Morocco because of the unstable political situation now prevailing in Libya.

• The Fennecs of Algeria dominated at the outset, but missed out on two excellent scoring opportunities through Adlène Guedioura and Saïd Belkalem, and even came close to being taken by surprise right at the end of the first half, were it not for goalkeeper Raïs M’Bolhi’s two fine saves.
• Vahid Halilhodzic’s men were on the front foot again after the break, but were still clumsy in front of the Libyan goal, with good opportunities missed by Islam Slimani and Foued Kadir.
• Libya woke up at the end of the match, but just when it seemed to be heading towards a goalless draw, substitute striker Hillal Soudani came on and scored for the Algerian Fennecs in the 89th minute from a cross by defender Djamel Mesbah.
• This is a good result for the Algeria squad who now have the upper hand to qualify for South Africa 2013 in front of their home fans in the return leg in October in Blida stadium.
• Algeria missed the last edition of the Africa Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.