African News

Take a look at our player breakdown of Algeria and Cote d'Ivoire during their final 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Group D clash.

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Algeria:

Rais M'Bohli: Was largely untested up until the closing stages of the game as he twice conceded, although there was little he could have done about the second, which took a huge deflection on its way through. 5/10

Djamel Mesbah: Looked solid in defence and was able to help bring the ball up field in attack, but gave away possession needlessly at times to leave his side back-tracking. 5/10

Rafik Halliche: Looked composed at the back and dealt with the aerial ball well, and was competent in his passing from the back to help set up attacks. 6/10

Essaid Belkalem: Looked lively throughout the match and put his body on the line in defence, while also created a great chance to score after getting on the end of a flick-on in the area, but could only head straight at the keeper. 6/10

Mehdi Mostefa-Sbaa: Coped well with the pace of the game but was sometimes caught out of position, but looked dangerous when going forward and made some decent runs. 6/10

Mehdi Lacen: Was sloppy in possession and gave away needless free-kicks in his own half, while also earned an early booking for a silly studs-up challenge, leaving himself walking on egg shells for the remainder of the match. 4/10

Khaled Lemmouchia: Looked composed in the middle of the park and made some nice passes and runs, but looked tired in the closing stages and preferred to sit further back before being substituted three minutes from the 90. 6/10

Adlane Guedioura: Played some excellent football down the wings and delivered some menacing crosses into the area, while also working his own chances but proving fruitless in front of goal. 7/10

El Arbi Soudani: Arguably Algeria's best player on the night and worked tirelessly in the final third, winning his side an early penalty before eventually making his breakthrough with Algeria's second following a powerful header in the area. 8/10

Islam Slimani: Was sloppy in the tackle and gave away too many free-kicks, although he was able to deliver a couple of dangerous balls into the area. 6/10

Ryad Boudebouz: Had an inspired game and looked a likely outlet for a goal, but showed a poor touch on more than one occasion at his let a couple of chances pass him by. 6/10

Substitutes:

Sofiane Feghouli: Made an instant impact after coming on in the 62nd minute, scoring the opening goal of the game moments later after slamming his penalty into the top corner of the net

Saad Tedjar: Was only introduced in the closing minutes of the tie and was as so unable to fully impact the game. N/A

Foued Kadir: Was given around 10 minutes in which to impress but was unable to alter the outcome of the game as the Algerians spent the final few minutes defending a rampant Ivory Coast. 5/10

Cote d'Ivoire:

Daniel Yeboah: Had an absolutely shocking evening between the sticks, twice fumbling routine saves but being let off the hook, while also conceding an indirect free-kick after inexplicably walking out of his area while holding the ball. 4/10

Arthur Boka: Looked strong in defence and was able to help out well in attack, although conceded a penalty after handling in the area. 5/10

Ismael Traore: Played a sturdy game at the back and was strong in the challenge, although conceded an early penalty but was fortunate to see the Ivory Coast miss the spot-kick. 5/10

Kolo Toure: Played a solid game at the back and helped bring the ball forward in defence, while also threatened in the air when going up for set-pieces. 7/10

Igor Lolo: Played some enterprising football to help set-up several counter attacks, and looked solid in the air following numerous route-one deliveries from the Algerians. 7/10

N'Dri Romaric: Had little impact on the game during the 45 minutes he was afforded, but was pulled off by the coach at half-time. 4/10

Abdul Razak: Produced some really dangerous deliveries into the area but was lacking when called on to shoot either from set-pieces or in open play, but overall enjoyed a decent contribution to the game. 6/10

Salomon Kalou: Had plenty of chances to find the back of the net but was wasteful in front of goal, notably firing over from a few yards out after skinning three markers. 5/10

Wilfried Bony: Had a quiet outing and looked set to go unnoticed over the 90 minutes but eventually scored Ivory Coast's second with a deflected long-range drive. 6/10

Arouna Kone: Impressed throughout the tie and made some driving runs at the heart of the defence, but was unable to find the back of the net after creating a couple of decent chances. 8/10

Didier Drogba: Played with his usual commanding presence but looked guilty of going down far too easily on a number of occasions, but capped off a fine performance with his side's first goal. 7/10

Substitutes:

Didier Zokora: Was only give a handful of minutes but was unable to have any impact on the game. N/A

Foued Kadir: Was given around 10 minutes to impress and played some composed passing to help his side see out the result. 6/10

Emmanuel Eboue: Was brought on as a late substitute and almost immediately picked up an injury, ruling him unable to alter the outcome of the tie. N/A