Algeria – Rwanda + Referee

Algeria – Rwanda + Referee

Algeria
• Ghezzal 22’
• Belhadj 45’
• Ziani 90’ (pen.)
Rwanda
• Mutesa Mafisango 20’

On 11th October 2009 Algeria received Rwanda for a world cup qualifying game that would be remembered more for the poor level of refereeing than for the game itself.

Two goals were denied, one for an imaginary off side and the other by denying a goal in the 41st minute, when Antar Yahia’s shot was well over the line before the ball was cleared. Algerian fans believe the final score should have been 5 goals to 1 instead of the final 3 goals to 1.

Twenty minutes after kick-off Rwanda took the lead when Mafisango Mutesa’s shot deflected past goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui. Rwandan players played aggressively and managed to add an extraordinary dozen minutes extra time for supposed injuries. Despite the way the game unfolded, the Green’s effort paid off. After putting pressure on the Rwandans, the Greens were allowed a penalty kick in the final minutes of additional time for a glaring foul committed against striker Karim Matmour. Midfielder Karim Ziani managed to superbly score.

During the game, five Rwandan players have been yellow carded; none of the Algerian players were booked. The game was not over yet but the Rwandan team did not feel like continuing and Josepha Keita, the Guinean referee, had to whistle the end of the game. Following the poor decisions taken by the referee, Rabah Saadane, the Algerian team coach and Mohamed Raouraoua the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) chairman officially requested from FIFA President Joseph Blatter the designation of a European referee for the crucial and last World Cup qualifier between Egypt and Algeria

Watch Algeria – Rwanda highlights here:

The precious win gives Algeria a 3 point advantage over follow-up Egypt. The pressure is now on the Egyptian side which has to win by 2 clear goals on November 14th in Cairo Stadium.

Group C
Team MP W D L GF GA Pts
Algeria 5 4 1 0 9 2 13
Egypt 5 3 1 1 7 4 10
Zambia 5 1 1 3 2 5 4
Rwanda 5 0 1 4 1 8 1