Sadio Mane of Senegal passes the ball during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations final match between Senegal and Algeria in Cairo, Egypt on July 19, 2019. Algeria won 1-0 and claimed the title. (Xinhua/Li Yan)
CAIRO, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Algeria claimed the 2019 African Cup of Nations title after beating Senegal 1-0 in the final at the Cairo International Stadium on Friday night.
Algerian forward Baghdad Boundjah scored the winner in the second minute to gift his country the second AFCON title in its history after a 29-year wait.
Boundjah's early strike deflected off defender Salif Sane and looped over Senegal's goalkeeper Alfred Gomis into the net.
After the goal, Algeria defended well as Senegal, who never won the African title, failed to score.
In the 26th minute, Henry Saivet tried to catch keeper Adi-Raid Mbolhi off his guard with a freekick from range, but the keeper adjusted rapidly to gather.
Mbaye had a brilliant effort later with a superbly struck volley from range, his effort went just over.
At the stroke of halftime, Sane almost made amends in exact same fashion he had conceded in the first minute, but the strike was deflected over the bar.
In the second half, Senegal were given a penalty kick, but it was revoked after VAR review.
Senegal kept pushing and came close again in the 65th minute when Ismaila Sarr beautifully picked up a long ball from Lamine Gassama before striding into the box, gliding past the keeper. However, the effort came off the netting.
With the clock ticking, Senegal manager Aliou Cisse made changes. However, Djamal Belmadi's men managed to hold on to the score-line and secured the AFCON crown with an unbeaten run.
