Algeria U23 went down 2-1 in Eswatini in the first leg of the 2027 U23 AFCON qualifiers. Kelyann Bezahaf, the young Olympique de Marseille player called up by coach Rafik Saïfi, and his teammates must turn the tie around on Monday 16 November in Algiers.
Algeria U23 lost 2-1 in Eswatini in the first leg of the second preliminary round of the 2027 U23 AFCON qualifiers, reports La Gazette du Fennec. The match was played at the Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba.
Among the 24 players selected by coach Rafik Saïfi for this double-header is Kelyann Bezahaf, according to AfricaSoccer. The sources do not specify his role in the first leg.
Bakhouche Piernas had put the Fennecs ahead
Yet it had all started well for the Algerian side. Just before the break, defender Gaëtan Bakhouche Piernas opened the scoring in the 40th minute from a set piece, according to La Gazette du Fennec. The visitors therefore led at half-time.
The second half changed the course of the match. The hosts first equalised, before going in front, again according to the same outlet. The sources do not specify the identity of the Eswatini scorers or the minutes of their goals. Algeria U23 therefore leave Lobamba beaten 2-1.
For the Fennecs, this first leg was a late entry into the competition: exempt from the first round, they were starting at this stage of the tournament, AfricaSoccer points out.
Bezahaf, an OM prospect in the squad
Kelyann Bezahaf, an Algeria U23 international, plays for Olympique de Marseille, where he is among the young players handed their chance by Bruno Genesio this season, according to OneFootball.
His role in the first leg is not specified by the sources. He is, however, among the teammates who will have the chance to turn the situation around in the return leg, according to La Gazette du Fennec.
Rendezvous on Monday at the 5-Juillet
The return leg will be played on Monday 16 November at 18:00 at the Stade Olympique du 5-Juillet in Algiers, AfricaSoccer indicates. The Fennecs U23 will have to wipe out a one-goal deficit there.
Eswatini, for their part, had reached this stage by seeing off Malawi in the first round, with a 1-0 win in the first leg and a 1-1 draw in the return.