Bensebaini earns suspension in 2-2 draw with Tapsoba's Burkina Faso
In a wild four-goal thriller on the second day of Group D's group stage play at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Algeria and Burkina Faso shared the spoils with a 2-2 draw.
Algeria's Fennecs grabbed a dramatic late equalizer to secure their second point of the tournament. Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba and Dortmund's Ramy Bensebaini both started for their respective sides.
The Bundesliga AFCON representatives were out in full force at the Stade de la Paix in Bouaké on Saturday afternoon as Algeria and Burkina Faso squared off in a crucial Group D encounter. Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba's Burkina Faso hoped to build upon a 1-0 win over Mauritania in their tournament opener while an Algerian side featuring two top-tier German club players sought to improve upon a 1-1 draw against Angola.
Algeria's Fennecs grabbed a dramatic late equalizer to secure their second point of the tournament. Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba and Dortmund's Ramy Bensebaini both started for their respective sides.
Algerian trainer Djamel Belmadi retained the services of former Schalke professional Nabil Benteleb in spite of the fact that the central midfielder conceded the penalty that allowed Angola to equalize in Monday's draw. Borussia Dortmund defender Ramy Bensebaini also started once again in central defense. Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Fares Cahibi, meanwhile, was moved to the bench.
The Burkinabé Stallions took a 1-0 lead at the end of a first half mostly characterized by fouls and stoppages. Abdoul Tapsoba went on an impressive run at 45+3, cutting inside and hitting teammate Mohammed Konaté perfectly with a sumptuous diagonal service. The North Africans equalized six minutes after the restart after two failed free-kick clearances enabled Baghdad Bounedjah to notch the 1-1.
Benteleb received an assist credit as it was his shot that Stallions keeper Hervé Koffi spilled in front of Bounedjah with a poor save. The Burkinabé's were awarded a penalty on a delayed call not long after the equalizer was scored. Substitute Bertrand Traoré converted the 2-1 from the spot in the 71st following a lengthy VAR delay.
Belmadi's Fennecs made the most of the tacked on injury time. Bounedjah headed home an Adam Ounas corner at 90+5 to restore parity. Brace scorer Bounedjah couldn't contain his excitement and was booked for ripping his jersey off in celebration amid the manic finish.
Leverkusen Tapsoba accrued 46 touches on what was a generally impressive evening from the 24-year-old. Passing stats and duel rates were also well above average ranges. Bensebaini received a caution in the 53rd minute. The former Gladbach and current Dortmund professional's second booking of the competition means that he will miss out on Algeria's final group stage match.
Chaibi looked lively in sixteen minutes of relief. The surprise SGE sensation garnered a surprising 21 touches and attempted 16 passes. The 21-year-old also got an effort on target. Chabi may very well again feature in the XI once again in Algeria's final group stage fixture against Mauritania on Tuesday.