Algeria won its first leg in Cameroon (1-0) and made the choice to qualify for the World Cup, at Jaboma Stadium in Douala, Friday, as it had missed the African Cup finals two months ago. Happy birthday Djamel Belmadi. On his 46th birthday, the Algeria coach finally won, thanks to the goal of Islam Slimani (41), in this unsuccessful stadium in January.

He came out in the first round of the last African Cup of Nations, when the “Greens” were defending the champions, this time they won inside Douala, where the failure of some projectors halted the match for seven minutes, at the start of the second half. .

Soleimani’s angry head

Belmadi’s three-man defense perfectly closed access to the “Indomitable Lions” goal, in a stadium where Algeria struggled with Côte d’Ivoire’s law (3-1). On the other hand, Rigobert Song missed his first match on the bench in Cameroon. The legendary player turned coach, despite his inexperience, the former captain could not really shake the “greens”.

Called up a month ago to replace Portugal’s Tony Conceicao, Song had founded Eric Maxime Choupo-Moting and is furious with the Portuguese coach. But in Cameroon’s best period, Chubu devoured a four-for-three (25) counter.

Rigobert Song’s effect does not occur

Otherwise, the Vincent Aboubacar-Karl Toko-Ekambi duo, 13 goals between them in the African Cup of Nations, did not achieve much. Islam Slimani, very generous, opened the scoring with a powerful header from a free kick touched by Youssef Belaili, but Andre Onana could not prevent her from entering. The Sporting Portugal striker, confirmed his position as the group’s top scorer, with this 40th international goal. The Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper already had to make a big save against Slimani, who arrived alone after grabbing the ball from Michael Negdio (14th).

Africa’s record holder in the World Cup, with seven contested copies, will have to tip the scales in Blida on Tuesday if it is to play eighth in the world. In other already disputed play-offs, Tunisia opened part of the way to Mali abroad (1-0), while Morocco snatched a draw from Congo (1-1).