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The victory takes Algeria to nine points in three games and closer to qualification. A win against the same opponent in the return leg on Monday of next week will be enough to seal the ticket to Ivory Coast.
Riyadh Mahrez came to the rescue as Algeria came from a goal down to beat Niger 2-1 in a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier Group F qualifier at the Nelson Mandela stadium in Algiers.
Ghanaian-born Daniel Sosah had caused a scare in the home team’s bench when he put the West Africans ahead in the 38th minute.
The Algerian coach Djamel Belmadi made three quick substitutions after the break introducing Mohamed El Amine and Baghdad Bounedjah in attack and defender Ramy Bensebaini.
The efforts paid off eight minutes later when left-back Rahim Alhassane converted the ball into his own net.
Youcef Belaili curled in a cross which Mahrez missed by an inch but caught Alhassane unaware heading it in.
The match was heavily poised for a draw but a moment of magic from another second-half substitute Fares Chaibi made the difference.
The striker found himself with acres of space with two minutes left, collected a pass before turning around and dispatching an inch-perfect cross to Badredine Bouanani.
The striker rushed through and clipped it to set up Mahrez for a close finish that sent the stadium into pandemonium.
The victory takes Algeria to nine points in three games and closer to qualification. A win against the same opponent in the return leg on Monday of next week will be enough to seal the ticket to Ivory Coast.
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