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The Zimbabwe senior men football team, Warriors, were Thursday night beaten 3:1 by African champions in an AFCON 2021 qualifiers game at Stade du 5 Juillet in Algiers.
The first two goals for the Desert Foxes came in the first half before they wrapped up the match with the third goal in 67th minute.
Warriors striker Tinotenda Kadewere who helped his French Ligue 1 club, Lyon, few days ago to secure three points against St Etienne after his brace got a consolation for the visitors in the 79th minute.
The result made sure Algeria extended their lead at the top of Group H by five points.
Warriors are still second on the log standings with only a point ahead of 2013 African champions Zambia who had beaten Botswana 2:1 earlier on.
The Zimbabwean team was forced to regret early missed chances after Kaizer Chiefs forward Khama Billiat failed to convert a golden opportunity right in the penalty box.
Algeria then capitalised on Zimbabwean goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze’s howler after he punched Sofiane Feghouli’s effort directly at Baghdad Bounedjah who pushed the ball straight into an open net.
Two minutes before the second half Feghouli made it 2:0 for the hosts.
Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez then made it 3:0 in the 67th minute before Kadewere got a consolation for his team.
Algeria’s win extended their unbeaten run in the last 21 matches including the 2019 AFCON titles.
Meanwhile, the two team will meet in their second encounter on Monday at the country’s giant National Sports Stadium in Harare.
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