Algeria coach Georges Leekens has bemoaned the team’s bad luck after their 2-1 loss to Tunisia in their second Group B match in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.
"We started very well, but we know that in a match of this level we cannot give away gifts," Leekens said at the post-match press conference.
The Desert Warriors’ captain Aissa Mandi scored an own goal and Napoli defender Faouzi Ghoulam gave away a penalty that was converted by Naim Sliti, in a horror second half for Algeria.
Sofiane Hanni pulled a goal back a minute into stoppage time for Algeria, but it came too late for them to mount a comeback.
"If we make them two presents in the second half, we cannot win. The way we conceded the second goal when we were hit on the counter attack, we cannot have imagined that before the game," said the coach.
Tunisia midfielder Naim Sliti has praised the performance of his team after the game, saying that his side deserves the victory and deserves to reach the tournament's quarterfinals.
"It was a very important match," Sliti said.
"After the match against Senegal we were very frustrated. We had the chance to win," he added.
"Today we made amends and showed the true face of Tunisian football. Many say that we play the most beautiful football and today we were rewarded."
Algeria, who were among the pre-tournament favourites, have one point and face Senegal next week, while Tunisia moved up to three points ahead of their final group game against Zimbabwe.
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