Algeria U23 vs Mauritania U23

Algeria U23 opened their pre-AFCON preparation in convincing fashion, defeating Mauritania U23 2-0 in a friendly at Stade du 19 mai 1956 in Annaba. The tone was set from the very first minutes, with Abdelhak Ben Idder heading home inside five minutes to send the home side on their way. Ben Idder's opener came from a corner swung in by Matthéo Guendez in the 5th minute. Algeria stayed in control throughout, and captain Adil Bourabaa wrapped things up with another headed corner in the 85th minute, assisted by Akhrib. The performance was particularly notable given that OGC Nice winger Kaïl Boudache sat out the entire game with a groin complaint, watching on from the bench. The result gives Algeria U23 a strong foothold heading into the return fixture on June 9, also in Annaba. For Mauritania U23, there is plenty to work on before the second meeting — their opponents dominated from first whistle to last.