SIERRA Leone put up a heroic defensive performance on Tuesday to earn a 0-0 draw with Algeria in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Group E clash in Douala, Cameroon.
Although the defending champions extended their unbeaten AFCON run to nine matches, they will be disappointed they were unable to break down the unheralded West Africans.
Even with Manchester City forward Riyad Mahrez leading their attack, Algeria struggled to carve out enough chances to get their defence of the 2019 title off to a winning start.
Engaging in only their second-ever meeting with the Leone Stars at the AFCON, Algeria dominated possession but failed to create any meaningful opportunities in the first half.
Sierra Leone even had the best opportunity of the first period, but a close range shot went narrowly wide.
The underdogs were more adventurous after the break, and they thought they had taken the lead in the 49th minute when Mohamed Buya Turay slotted past M’Bolhi, but their celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.
Meanwhile, another team in their group, Cote d’Ivoire, will be without their first-choice goalkeeper.
Sylvain Gbohouo has been suspended by football’s world governing body FIFA for an alleged doping violation.
The 33-year-old goalkeeper for Ethiopian club Wolke City had been expected to be in goal for the Elephants at the AFCON but he will no longer be participating.
Cote d’Ivoire head coach coach Patrice Beaumelle was notified on 26 December that Gbohouo tested positive for trimetazidine, a heart medication that the World Anti-Doping Agency categorises as a stimulant.
The goalkeeper had been named in Cote d’Ivoire’s squad for the tournament three days earlier and was subsequently provisionally suspended.His ban has now been confirmed by FIFA and Gbohouo has appealed against the ruling.
“We had hope of getting a favourable response from FIFA but yesterday I learned that they were upholding their decision,” Beaumelle said.
Cote d’Ivoire’s are scheduled to face Equatorial Guinea in their first match of the 2021 AFCON on Wednesday.
