Meziane shines through pain as Algeria power past Uganda
The CR Belouizdad winger scored one and inspired many more as Algeria launched their CHAN 2024 campaign in dominant style, underlining their ambition to go all the way in this year's tournament. A bloody grin and a goal to remember
Despite taking a knock that cost him a tooth during the match, Meziane shrugged off the pain to produce a commanding display.
'Our opponents played well. I lost a tooth, but the enthusiasm was there, and thanks to God everything went very well,' Meziane said, smiling through the battle scars after being named TotalEnergies Man of the Match.
The 30-year-old netted Algeria's second of the night in the 38th minute — a cool finish that capped off a sweeping move down the left flank — and was a constant menace throughout, using his pace and sharp movement to stretch Uganda's defence. Leading by example
Meziane's influence went well beyond the scoresheet. His vision, tight control, and ability to create space between the lines made him the heartbeat of Algeria's attacking play.
His recent form for club side CR Belouizdad has been impressive, with 7 goals in 29 matches during the 2023/24 campaign, and 2 goals and 5 assists in 10 games so far this season — a sign of his continued impact in domestic football.
'The first game is always difficult,' he noted.
'But we'll keep moving forward, chasing better results to keep our hopes alive. Each game will write its own story. We're here until the end.'
That quiet determination has come to symbolise Algeria's tournament mindset — calculated, aggressive, and unyielding. Fennecs off to a flying star
Algeria's comprehensive win at CHAN 2024's Group C opener was also marked by goals from centre-back Ayoub Ghezala, who powered home a header to break the deadlock, and Soufiane Bayazid, who sealed the result with a well-placed strike in the second half.
The Fennecs were tactically compact and ruthlessly efficient, keeping Uganda at bay while showcasing depth in their attacking options.
Coach Abdelhak Benchikha will be pleased not just with the scoreline, but with the cohesion and fluidity shown by his squad — hallmarks of a team already in sync. Algeria eyeing deep tournament run
Group C is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in the tournament, with Uganda, Algeria, South Africa and Uganda all chasing a single qualification spot.
Algeria's next match will be a key test of consistency, but if Meziane maintains his current level, he could well become one of the tournament's defining figures.
Having reached the final in 2022 but falling short, the Fennecs appear determined to go one better in 2024 — and Meziane's battle-hardened brilliance could lead the way.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
2 hours ago
- CAF
Congo coach Ngatsono hails growing competitiveness of TotalEnergies CAF CHAN
Following Congo's opening draw against Sudan at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, head coach Barthélémy Ngatsono has hailed the tournament's growing level of competitiveness and professionalism. Ngatsono watched his side rally to secure a hard-fought point in a tightly contested encounter, which he believes showcased the elevated standard of the continental showpiece. 'It was a good game. It was quite balanced between two sides that wanted maximum points,' the coach said post-match. 'The Sudanese had a good first half, but my players showed character today and fought hard to earn this point.' While content with the result, Ngatsono was especially complimentary of the tournament's organization and the technical level of competition being displayed so far in East Africa. 'I must say congratulations to the organizers and organizing nations. The tournament is growing and matches are becoming more technical. The facilities and everything makes the matches very competitive,' he noted. 'In football there are three results, winning, losing and a draw, and I'm very happy to get that one point. As everyone saw today, the teams are very prepared.' Ngatsono added that Congo will take key lessons from the game, and immediately turn their focus to their next challenge, a crucial Group C clash against defending champions Senegal in August. 'We now focus all our attention on the game against Senegal. I must say kudos to Sudan as well, but we will learn from this game and come back better.'
CAF
2 hours ago
- CAF
'Majority of us have played against each other in our league' Wayde Jooste
Bafana Bafana defender Wayde Jooste believes the camaraderie and familiarity within the national squad will be a major asset as South Africa prepare to face Algeria in their opening TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 fixture on Friday evening at the Mandela National Stadium. The North Africans already have three points on the board following their win against co-hosts Uganda, while Bafana will be making their first appearance as they return to the tournament having last participated as hosts in 2014. But Jooste is unfazed by the pressure of starting on the back foot, choosing instead to highlight the team's unity and underdog status as their biggest weapons. 'Honestly, I don't think it's been that tough because the majority of us have played against each other in our respective leagues,' Jooste said. 'Some of us have even been teammates at different clubs. So from a chemistry perspective, it's been easy to come together and form a little family.' The squad assembled locally before jetting off to Uganda and, according to the former AmaZulu full-back, that time together has strengthened the team's cohesion and spirit. Jooste also believes that being relatively unknown on the international stage is an advantage for the South Africans. 'It's a very good thing that we are an unknown quantity because they won't know what to expect from us,' he explained. 'It will count in our favour and give us an edge in the group stages.' With Algeria already having played their first match, Jooste said the Bafana technical team used the opportunity to do thorough analysis of their opponents, describing them as a 'very direct' and deserving team. 'They deserve to be here. They're a very good team, but we've done our analysis and most of the guys have seen them in action,' he stated. Looking ahead to Friday, Jooste stressed the importance of a positive start, especially in a group where momentum and early points can shape a team's chances of advancing. 'In any tournament format, you want to start well. You don't want to be playing catch-up and relying on other results. If we pick up three points in the first game, it takes a load off our shoulders and gives us the best chance of progressing.' South Africa are grouped with Algeria, Uganda, Niger and Guinea in what promises to be a fiercely contested Group C.
CAF
2 hours ago
- CAF
Burkina Faso gallop past debutants CAR in six-goal TotalEnergies CHAN clash
Burkina Faso produced a dominant second-half display to defeat debutants Central African Republic 4-2 and revive their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 campaign at the Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium in Dar es Salaam. After a sluggish start to the tournament, where the Stallions were outplayed in a 2-0 loss to Tanzania, coach Issa Balbon's side responded emphatically. Two second-half penalties and an inspired performance from Patrick Malo and Abdoul Baguian helped them outclass a spirited CAR side playing their first-ever CHAN match. The result breathes life into Burkina Faso's Group B journey and ensures that qualification for the quarter-finals remains within reach. Fast start, quick response Burkina Faso struck first in the 11th minute through Papus Ouattara, who was quickest to react after a corner was only half-cleared, slotting home from close range to put the West Africans ahead. But the lead didn't last long. Just four minutes later, Sydney Tchibinda equalised with a stunning free-kick into the top corner — a goal that will be etched in CAR football history as their first-ever strike at a CHAN finals. The early exchanges were frantic, with both teams going for it, and CAR showed little sign of nerves despite their historic debut on the continental stage. Burkinabe midfielder Mohamed Guira picked up a yellow card for a clumsy foul in the 13th minute, underscoring the physical tone of the match. Stallions take control after the break After a 1-1 scoreline at the interval, Burkina Faso came out with renewed intensity in the second half. A VAR review in the 57th minute awarded the Stallions a penalty after a foul on Éléazar Ouattara. Abdoul Abass Guiro stepped up and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner to restore their lead. Guiro, who completed the most passes in their opening defeat to Tanzania, was again at the heart of Burkina Faso's midfield play — this time adding a goal to his name. The Central Africans, not to be discouraged, nearly levelled again in the 65th minute when Dimitri Kogbeto's powerful shot cannoned off the crossbar. Nelson Ngaro also came close a minute later but fired wide on the break. Those missed chances proved costly. Penalty drama and late fireworks Burkina Faso extended their lead to 3-1 in the 78th minute after another penalty was awarded, this time to Baguian after he was brought down in the box. Up stepped captain Patrick Malo, who rifled his effort into the top right corner with authority. Moments later, Baguian got on the scoresheet himself, turning in a well-worked move in the 84th minute to put the game beyond doubt at 4-1. CAR grabbed a late consolation in stoppage time through Ange Zoumara after some neat play involving Nelson Ngaro, but it was too little too late. Despite the loss, coach Sébastien Ngato's men will take positives from their debut CHAN appearance. They showed flashes of quality and will look to regroup for their next group match. What it means The win lifts Burkina Faso to three points in Group B and keeps their qualification hopes alive heading into their final group game. For CAR, the debut fairy tale will have to wait, but they've shown enough promise to suggest they're not here to make up the numbers. Burkina Faso, semi-finalists in 2018, will next face Mauritania, while CAR must prepare to meet Madagascar in what now becomes a must-win fixture.
