The 2022 African Nations Championship CHAN kicked off today with host nation, Algeria defeating Libya by 1-0.
Aymen Mahious made history by scoring the first goal ever at the brand-new Nelson Mandela Stadium.
Attempting to intercept a misdirected back pass from Libyan midfielder Aboulqassim Rajab, the Desert Foxes attacker was hauled down in the 18-yard box by goalkeeper Muad Allafi of Libya.
Tom Abongile, the referee, correctly gestured to the area.
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In the 57th minute, Mahious gently placed the ball into the left corner, sending Allafi the wrong way, setting off raucous celebrations from the home fans that could be heard across the Algerian city and the entire nation.
The Desert Foxes had 64% ball possession and at least one of their seven shots at goal was successful, as they had been in complete control of the game from the very beginning and outplayed Libya throughout the opening period.
While celebrating the goal, head coach Madjid Bougherra urged his team to stay focused because there was still a lot of football to be played.
Twelve minutes before halftime, Libya conceded and fell into a deep hole. They emerged from this hole and started making runs at the Algerian goal.
Libya came very close to tying the score in the 75th minute when captain Ali Ramadhan Ali was very unlucky to see his fine effort hit the post and further frighten the home team, who had grown somewhat accustomed to winning.
A powerful shot toward goal was also taken by Omar Alkhja, but Algerian goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz quickly blocked it to keep the hosts in tact.
Even in the 96th minute when replacement Talal Farhat had a chance to equalize through a free-kick on the outskirts of the box but blasted his shot into the Algerian wall, Algeria restored their confidence to fight off a powerful Libyan assault.
The 40,000 supporters who began singing and encouraging Bougherra’s team during warm-up will be remembered for giving them the motivation they needed to win the tournament opener.
Algeria now leads Group A with three points after this victory, while Libya sits at the bottom.
Ethiopia will play Mozambique in Group A’s second match on Saturday, January 14, at 1300 GMT at the same location.