Algeria began their title defense with a goalless draw against a stubborn and hard fighting Sierra Leone side, who are making their first AFCON appearance since 1996.
The defending champions created numerous chances especially in the second half, but the Leone Stars goalkeeper Mohamed Nbalie Kamara was equal to everything the Algerians threw at him. He denied Yacine Brahimi, Riyad Mahrez, Ramy Bensebaini, and Baghdad Bounedjah in different occasions.
Group E’s second match will hold tomorrow between Equatorial Guinea and Ivory Coast.
Algeria’s next match is on Sunday against Equatorial Guinea while Ivory Coast will lurk horns with Sierra Leone.