African teams played their last friendly match of the international break on Tuesday March 26. Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal and Mali passed their test, while Ghana were held back by Uganda. Algeria and South Africa go back-to-back in a spectacular encounter.
Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal get the job done!
The cursor was higher than the first friendly match.After a 2-2 draw with Benin, Côte d'Ivoire took on Uruguay on Tuesday March 26. The Elephants dominated the South Americans (2-1) in a hard-fought match. Uruguayan defender Mathias Olivera scored an own goal to put the African champions ahead on the scoreboard. Despite Federico Vinas' equalizer (77th), Guéla Doué, who had just been called up to the squad for the first time, gave the Elephants victory with a pass from Simon Adingra in the 84th minute.
Senegal had the chance to make a clean sweep of the international break. The Lions overcame Benin (1-0) in a match that was far from convincing for Aliou Cissé's men. The Cheetahs deserved more.Star striker Steve Mounié saw his penalty saved by Seny Dieng (35th). Unable to create any clear-cut chances, the Lions were awarded a penalty. Sadio Mané, a penalty specialist, wasted no time in giving his team the win. The Al-Nassr striker converted in the 59th minute.
Ghana held to a draw, Algeria and South Africa back to back, Nigeria fall to Mali
The Black Stars are struggling in these friendlies. Defeated by Nigeria (2-1) last Friday, Ghana were held to a draw by Uganda (2-2). Otto Addo's men failed to reassure defensively. Twice pegged back by goals from Mukwala (23rd) and Shaban (82nd), goals from Opoku (7th) and Jordan Ayew (28th) failed to make the difference.
The clash between Algeria and South Africa was a real spectacle.
The Fennecs held off the 3rd-placed team from the last Africa Cup of Nations. On his second outing as Algeria coach, Vladimir Petkovic saw his team perform well offensively, with a brace from Yacine Benzia (22nd and 70th) and a goal from Yacine Brahimi (53rd). But Bafana Bafana had an impressive scoring machine up front. With Themba Zwane scoring twice (34th and 45th +5) and Iqraam Rayners (66th), South Africa ended the international break with a second draw.
Nigeria, AFCON finalists and without a coach until now, fell to Mali (0-2). The Super Eagles could do nothing against goals from El Bilal Touré (18th) and Kamory Doumbia (86th).
