Surprise Malawi Maul Algeria

Surprise-package Malawi stunned Group A after a convincing win over Rabah Saadane’s Algeria. In a near-deserted stadium, Algeria failed to perform on the big stage and are set to continue a very poor overall record for a team that boasts some really good players. Russel Mwafulira, Elvis Kafotera and Davi Banda scored the three Malawi goals that rocked Algeria and knocked them bottom of the table.

Malawi celebrate a surprise victory

The minnows of Malawi got their opener after 17 minutes when an awful defensive mix-up by goalkeeper Chaouchi presented Kanyenda with a great chance but the ball broke to Russel Mwafulira, who plays his club football in Sweden, and he smashed it home convincingly. Les Fennecs were gradually coming back into the game and began to win the battles with Malawi and should have equalised after 24 minutes when Rafik Saifi was played through by the creative Ziani and his lobbed effort went far over the crossbar.

Malawi stunned Algeria ten minutes before half-time when Elvis Kafotera rose above the Algerian defence to header home the second goal for Malawi, supplied by a superb cross from Mwakasungula.

Chaouchi had a nightmare for Algeria

Chaouchi was having an absolute nightmare in the Algerian goal and he was at fault again for the third goal three minutes after a “telling” from manager Rabah Saadane. Chaouchi failed to punch the ball and flapped inside the box but even Rangers defender Madjid Bougherra couldn’t clear it after a mis-cued clearance and Banda eased the ball into the net. Africa and the world looked on in disbelief as England’s opponents seemed to crumble in the opening match of the African Cup of Nations.

The Desert foxes now have the task of playing Mali on Thursday in Luanda with Mali high on confidence after their spirited comeback against hosts Angola with 3 goals in the final few minutes to pull it back to 4-4.