The Desert Foxes of Algeria have been crowned FIFA Arab Cup champions.
In an all-Maghreb final, Algeria spanked Tunisia 2-0 in Extra Time after 90 minutes could not separate both sides.
Despite the Tunisians having a slight edge in terms of possession, Algeria always looked more likely to score.
But for some overelaboration at the final third, Algeria should have taken the lead.
With no signs of goals to come, coach Madjid Bougherra made a raft of changes in Extra Time.
And that move paid off handsomely as substitute Amir Sayoud scored a contending goal of the tournament as he completed a flowing move with a swerve and bullet shot.
That shot in the 99th minute left the Tunisian keeper Hassen Mouez for dead.
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Suicide
That goal gave the Algerians the chance to switch from their 4-5-1 formation to a counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 style they had used throughout the tournament.
The Tunisian Carthage Eagles then committed men forward – including their goal keeper – to try and equalize and possibly force a penalty shoot-out.
That move was clearly a suicidal one, as in the very last minute of added time in Extra Time, the Algerians broke free.
Of course, that left veteran midfield maestro Yacine Brahimi with the historic task of walking the ball and slotting into an empty net.
That was the last kick of the match, and with that, a signal that indeed Algeria were champions.
Algeria now hold two trophies – AFCON (2019) and the FIFA Arab Cup (2021).
What made this latest win more significant was the fact that Algeria prosecuted the tournament with their team B.
For the Tunisians, they will try their luck again in Cameroun next month.
Mazino Dickson
