Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria left it late to earn a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe at the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Leicester winger put his side ahead with a curling shot in off the post.

But Kudakwashe Mahachi’s low shot into the corner and a Nyasha Mushekwi penalty made it 2-1 to Zimbabwe – a lead they held until the 82nd minute.

Algeria hit the bar twice before Mahrez levelled with a speculative 25-yard shot that Zimbabwe goalkeeper Tatenda Mukuruva should have saved.

The pressure saw the Warriors struggle to contain the Fennecs of Algeria but managed to hold the north Africans to end the game 2-2 in the Group B opener.

The next game  will see Senegal come up against Tunisia later today.

 

Line ups:

 

Algeria

  • 23M’bolhi
  • 20Belkhiter Booked at 28mins  Substituted for Meftahat 46′minutes
  • 2Mandi
  • 21Bensebaini
  • 3Ghoulam
  • 17Guédioura
  • 10Bentaleb
  • 7Mahrez
  • 11Brahimi
  • 15Soudani Substituted for Ghezzalat 77′minutes
  • 13Slimani

Substitutes

  • 1Rahmani
  • 4Cadamuro
  • 5Belkaroui
  • 6Mesbah
  • 8Bennacer
  • 9Hanni
  • 12Benyahia
  • 14Boundjah
  • 16Malek
  • 18Ghezzal
  • 19Abeid
  • 22Meftah

Zimbabwe

  • 16Mukuruva
  • 4Zvirekwi
  • 5Muroiwa
  • 2Nhamoinesu
  • 6Bhasera
  • 14Katsande
  • 3Phiri
  • 10Mahachi
  • 20Billiat
  • 17MusonaSubstituted forRusikeat 12′minutesBooked at 38mins
  • 9MushekwiSubstituted forMalajilaat 78′minutes

Substitutes

  • 1Donovan
  • 7Rusike
  • 8Rusike
  • 11Ndoro
  • 12Kangwa
  • 13Malajila
  • 15Hadebe
  • 18Nakamba
  • 19Mhlanga
  • 21Kadewere
  • 22Machapa
  • 23Mawaya
Referee:Bamlak Tessema Weyesa