ALGIERS, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Algerian football team capped off its 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN) qualifying campaign with a resounding 5-1 victory over Liberia on Sunday at the Hocine Ait-Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou.
This emphatic win preserved Algeria's unbeaten streak and secured its dominance in Group E with 16 points.
Liberia surprised early with a sixth-minute goal by Sampson Dweh, but Algeria quickly regained control. Aissa Mandi equalized in the 20th minute, followed by a decisive strike from Ryad Mahrez nine minutes later. The second half saw further Algerian dominance, with Baghdad Bounedjah (64'), Amine Gouiri (74'), and Mohammed Amoura sealed the win with a 94th minute strike.
Despite a 0-0 draw against Equatorial Guinea in Malabo last Thursday, Algeria finished its campaign strongly. The Desert Foxes, unbeaten in six matches, now turn their focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers beginning in March.
Liberia concluded the qualifiers with one win, a 1-0 victory over Togo. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea, despite a 3-0 loss to Togo, secured second place in the group with eight points to claim its spot in CAN 2025. Algeria, crowned AFCON champion in 2019 and 1990, aims to reclaim the title in Morocco next year. ■
