The Africa Cup of Nations, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is the primary international association football competition for African national teams.[4] The 2019 tournament was the 32nd edition since its inaugural event. While Cameroon was initially slated to host the event, the CAF stripped the country of this privilege in November 2018 due to concerns surrounding the lack of preparation and event security.[5] There was speculation that Morocco would apply to host the event, but it ultimately declined to do so.[6] Egypt and South Africa applied to host the event; the former was chosen in early January 2019.[7]
This is the first time in the history both teams face each other in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, having previously faced each other in the group stage of the edition three times and in the semi-finals once. Overall record is favorable for Algeria, having won three, draw one and never lost to Senegal in the AFCON history.
Both Senegal and Algeria were grouped in Group C of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal entered the group stage with an easy 2–0 win over Tanzania.[8] However, Senegal suffered a big setback after losing 0–1 defeat to the Algerians when Sadio Mané made his debut in the tournament.[9] Senegal soon bounced back by a 3–0 win over Kenya,[10] thus qualified to the round of sixteen with the Algerians. Senegal managed to beat both Uganda[11] and Benin[12] in the round of sixteen and quarter-finals with the same 1–0 results. Senegal, in the semi-finals against Tunisia, struggled harder due to Tunisia's defensive style of play and almost got led by the Tunisians until Ferjani Sassi missed the penalty; Henri Saivet also failed to convert from the spot after his side got the same opportunity, but the Senegalese got a lucky own goal by Dylan Bronn to finally obtain another 1–0 win after 120' to march to the final for the second time, having done it so in 2002.[13][14]
Algeria, also shared similar group with Senegal, began with a 2–0 easy win over Kenya,[15] before managed to defeat its largest opponent, Senegal, 1–0.[9] The Algerians easily ended the group stage with a 3–0 to Tanzania with three goals in the first 45 minutes.[16] Algeria continued its rampant performance with a 3–0 win over Guinea in the round of sixteen,[17] but struggled harder against Ivory Coast, being held 1–1 after 120' before overcame the Ivorians 4–3 in penalty shootout.[18] The Algerians then put up an outstanding performance, beating African powerhouse Nigeria 2–1, with a late minute goal by Riyad Mahrez in a free kick spot to reach their first ever final since winning at home at 1990.[19][20]
Although Victor Gomes from South Africa was chosen at first to officiate the final, the CAF decided to change official referee and replaced Gomes by Sidi Alioum, who officiated the opening match between Egypt and Zimbabwe. CAF staff later admitted they had mistaken referee to officiate the final, as they planned to call Sidi Alioum but later turned into Victor Gomes.[21] Sidi Alioum himself had officiated in a number of matches, including 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as a number of CAF Champions League matches.
Match
Summary
The only goal of the match was scored in the 2nd minute when Baghdad Bounedjah cut in from the left and shot with his right foot from just outside the penalty area with the ball taking a huge deflection off defender Salif Sané, looping over the goalkeeper and down into the right corner of the net.[22][23]
