Темы: AFCON, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, William Troost-Ekong
The Super Eagles shot themselves in the foot after matching their North Africa counterparts for most part of the first half.

After firing Nigeria to the semifinals with his late goal in the quarterfinal win over South Africa, William Troost-Ekong proved to be the villain for the Super Eagles in the first half of their AFCON 2019 semifinal clash with Algeria.

The classic encounter served up the thriller and end-to-end affair that was promised prior to kick-off in its initial stages with both teams getting a fair share of chances to take the lead. Most notably, the Desert Foxes' striker Baghdad Bounedjah forced an incredible point-blank save from the Super Eagles' Daniel Akpeyi after latching onto a long-overhead pass from Youcef Belaili in the 29th minute. Moments later, both Odion Ighalo and Samuel Chukwueze had glorious opportunities to snatch the lead for their team in the penalty area of the North Africans.

Nevertheless, it was Troost-Ekong's mishap that stood out as the major highlight in the first 45 minutes of the encounter. With just four minutes for proceedings to conclude in the first-half, Algeria was handed the lead after Riyad Mahrez's teasing cross from the right deflected off the chest of the Super Eagles center-back.

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Two own-goals have so far been recorded in the semifinal of AFCON 2019 as earlier, Senegal booked its spot to the final after Tunisia's Dylan Broon redirected a cross into his side's net with his head.

Meanwhile, Nigeria approached the encounter with Algeria with seven wins in their last nine meetings against the Desert Foxes. A defeat for the Super Eagles will be their first in over 27 years against the North African heavyweights.