Boulbina’s Late Strike Sends Algeria Past DR Congo in AFCON Last-16
A stunning extra-time goal from substitute Adil Boulbina secured a 1-0 victory for Algeria over the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) last-16 clash on Tuesday.
The match at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, was heading toward a penalty shootout when Boulbina, who plays club football in Qatar, was released on the left in the 119th minute. He cut into the box and unleashed a powerful shot that found the back of the net, sending the 18,837-strong crowd into jubilation.
Algeria, 2019 AFCON champions who won all their group-stage games, now advance to a compelling quarterfinal showdown against Victor Osimhen’s Nigeria in Marrakesh on Saturday.
For DR Congo, the result is a bitter disappointment. The Leopards had entered the tournament with high hopes and were aiming to face Nigeria again after defeating the Super Eagles on penalties in a World Cup qualifying play-off last November. They can, however, look forward to an intercontinental playoff in March, where a victory over New Caledonia or Jamaica would secure their first World Cup appearance since 1974.
Algeria, already assured of a spot at the North American World Cup finals, remain focused on a strong AFCON campaign in Morocco.
Despite the high stakes, the match itself fell short of expectations. Both sides struggled to create clear chances in the final third. Key Algerian players, including captain Riyad Mahrez and the electrifying Ibrahim Maza, did not play the full 90 minutes.
DR Congo defender Axel Tuanzebe narrowly missed from a header off a corner, while Maza’s first-half shot went just wide. Edo Kaymbe’s long-range effort forced a strong save from Algerian goalkeeper Luca Zidane in the second half, the closest either team came before extra time.
Algeria had been the more persistent threat and increased the pressure in extra time, with Congolese goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi making vital stops from Fares Chaibi and Baghdad Bounedjah in the 111th minute.
The deadlock finally broke thanks to a well-timed combination between substitutes Ramiz Zerrouki and Boulbina. Zerrouki played a precise pass into space behind the defense, and 22-year-old Al-Duhail forward Boulbina finished clinically to send Algeria into the quarterfinals.
