Defending champion Algeria on Sunday lost 1-0 to Equatorial Guinea in one of the biggest upsets at the Africa Cup of Nations, with a defender who was playing in the fifth tier in Spain last year scoring the goal that beat Riyad Mahrez and his superstar teammates.
Esteban Obiang arrived at the back post to connect with a corner in the 70th minute for Equatorial Guinea’s winner, ending a four-year unbeaten run for the African champion, and leaving their title defense in Cameroon in pieces.
Algeria fans dropped their heads and cried in the Japoma Stadium in Douala.
Photo: AFP
Algeria launched attack after desperate attack on the Equatorial Guinea goal in the final 10 minutes, but Mahrez and his team could not find a way past 20-year-old goalkeeper Jesus Owono.
Algeria had two goals correctly disallowed for offside, one in the first half and one in that frantic search for an equalizer.
After being surprisingly held 0-0 by Sierra Leone in their first game, Algeria are bottom of Group E going into a final group game against former champions Ivory Coast.
It seemed the African Cup could not possibly throw up any more surprises after minnows Sierra Leone and Gambia had secured draws dripping with drama.
Sierra Leone capitalized on a terrible goalkeeper error deep in injury-time for a 2-2 draw against two-time champions Ivory Coast in the other Group E game.
Gambia converted a 90th-minute penalty for a 1-1 draw with Mali that left tournament debutant Gambia incredibly at the top of Group F ahead of former champions Tunisia and Mali with just one more round of group games to play.
Gambia and Mali both scored penalties that were awarded after video reviews. Ibrahima Kone converted for Mali in the 79th minute, but Gambia, which had earlier hit the post and the crossbar with free-kicks, saved a point through Mussa Barrow in the last minute.
In the other game in that group, Tunisia recovered convincingly from their highly contentious loss to Mali to beat Mauritania as expected, and provide the only game that went according to expectations.
Tunisia won 4-0, were 2-0 up after eight minutes, and captain Wahbi Khazri scored a double in a match that might have attracted more attention on any other day.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely