Zimbabwe put up a wonderful performance against Algeria at the Stade de Franceville on Sunday in Africa Cup of Nations Group B opening match.

Ranked 103th in the world,the Warriors dominated much of the first half aganist one of the best teams in the continent with the clash ending in a 2-2 draw.

Algeria had their galaxy of players on their side led by Leicester City’s Rayed Mahrez who was on duty in a convincing form scoring twice as his side left it late to earn the draw.

Zimbabwe began with high determination with Khama Billiat lashing a thenderous half volley with Rais forced to get a hand to it a deflect that hit the post for the first chance of the game.

Three minutes later Algeria launched an attack with Leichester winger,Mahrez making a connection to a pass to the left edge of the Zimbabwe box, before curling it into the far corner past the despairing dive of the keeper.

It was time for the Zimbabweans to push forward as a nice caculated move from the centre ended in Mahanchi knocking the ball past the defender and firing in a slow shot from just inside the area which nesttled in for a corner that wall well placed by Khama Billiant with Kudakwashe Mahachi low shot going past the keeper for an equalizer.

Zimbabwe maintained domination through the first twenty minutes, with Guedioura and Soudani helping their back half to fend off assaults and committing nasty fouls in the process, but the Zimbabweans failed each time to bend any fruitful efforts from the awarded free kicks.

In 29th minute Zimbabwe were awarded with a penalty after a foul was committed on their player in the box.Mushekwi stood up to take the spot kick, placing it into the left hand side of the goal to put Warriors ahead.

Moments later, Mahrez was set up by Brahimi to the right of Zimbabwe area, but after charging into the box, the Leicester talisman’s effort was thwarted by Nhamoinesu, as the Algeria would continue on the defensive for another quarter before getting a foothold on the game once more.

Second half started on a high note again for Calisto Pasuwa’s side.In the 53rd minute Billiat showed his class jinking past the defence before firing in a goal bound effort which was brilliantly turned around the post by Mbolhi.

A long pass from Belkhinther fell to Mahrez in the left flank of the Zimbabwe area, but his long-range strike was perfectly gathered by goalkeeper Mkuruva.

Another Algeria attempt at goal from Brahini in 73rd minute that was nearly deflected into the net by Nhamoinesu as he tried to clear the ball that went for unfruitful corner.

Substitute Cuthbert Malajila should have sealed the game for Zimbabwe when he found himself one-on-one with the keeper with 10 minutes to play, but could not finish.

Mahrez rescued a point for his team in the 82nd minute when he drilled a left-footed effort from the end of the box which went straight through the keeper who should have done better than that.

The Algerian survived some minutes of onslaughts from the Zimbabwe side that showed determination to score in the dying minutes but luck was not on their side.

Squads:
Algeria: M’Bolhi, Belkhither (Meftah 46′) , Mandi, Bensebaini, Ghoulam, Guedioura, Bentaleb, Mahrez, Brahimi, Soudani (Ghezzal 77′) , Slimani.

Zimbabwe: Mkuruva, Zvirekwi, Nhamoinesu, Bhasera, Muroiwa, Mahachi, Katsande, Billiat, Phiri, Mushekwi
(Malajila 78′) , Musona (M. Rusike 11′)