AFCON 2023: Bounedjah Scores 96th Minute Header for Algeria, Goes AWOL, Video

• Baghdad Bounedjah scored twice as Algeria drew 2-2 against Burkina Faso
• The 32-year-old forward scored a powerful header in added time
• Bounedjah is not the joint top scorer at AFCON, with three goals

Baghdad Bounedjah could not contain his excitement after rescuing a point for Algeria against Burkina Faso in a Group D encounter at the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Burkina Faso appeared to have won thanks to a penalty from Aston Villa's Bertrand Traore, but Bounedjah, who had earlier equalized for Algeria, scored in the 96th minute to tie the game 2-2 and prevent the Stallions from sealing back-to-back wins.

The 32-year-old forward lost his cool after grabbing the equalizer, running towards the Algerian bench with his shirt off as the Desert Foxes celebrated his equalizer widely.

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Algeria came into the match the favourites and had more of the play, but they will be delighted to leave with a point after going down twice but still battled back to earn a deserved draw.

Bounedjah, who was named as the Man of the Match, is now the AFCON joint top scorer with three goals from the first two games played.

Algeria on course for knockouts

Meanwhile, Algeria is well-placed to reach the last 16 of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after securing a 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso in their second Group D game on Saturday, January 20, Eurosport reports.

The Desert Foxes have bagged two points from their first two games and now need a victory against Mauritania in their last group match to secure a place in the knockouts.

The 2019 AFCON champions have failed to win a game in the last two editions of the competition after they were knocked out in the group stage of the 2021 championship.

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Fans react to Bounedjah’s brace

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Baghdad Bounedjah was Algeria's saviour in an exciting 2-2 draw against Burkina Faso in Group D of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Algeria drew with Angola in their previous game, while Burkina Faso, the previous edition's semifinalists, defeated Mauritania in their opener.

With two points from the draws, Algeria hopes to advance by defeating Mauritania on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.