Algeria will face Senegal in the 2019 AFCON FINAL | REPORT

Riyad Mahrez described Algeria reaching the Africa Cup of Nations final as “unbelievable” after setting up a showdown with Senegal thanks to his stunning last-gasp free-kick.

Mahrez was the hero in Cairo, where the Manchester City star curled the 95th-minute set-piece past Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory on Sunday.

Algeria had initially led through William Troost-Ekong’s own goal before Nigeria equalized via an Odion Ighalo penalty with 18 minutes remaining following a VAR review.

Mahrez and Algeria will now contest their first AFCON final since winning the tournament on home soil in 1990 when they face Senegal on Friday.

“We were one goal up and were in control before VAR’s decision – they scored the penalty and in the last minute we converted our free-kick.

“We are very happy because to be in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations is something unbelievable.

“I think we have been very good in this tournament. We scored 12 goals and conceded two, that is the source of our confidence.

“We are looking forward to the final against Senegal. We played them in the group stage and we are expecting another tough game.”

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Algeria topped Group C ahead of Senegal, who lost 1-0 to the Desert Foxes on matchday two last month.

Senegal have reached the Africa Cup of Nations final for just the second time in their history having beaten Tunisia 1-0 after extra time in a dramatic match that saw both teams miss penalties.

The 2002 runners-up edged past Uganda and Benin with 1-0 victories in the previous two knockout rounds and maintained their impressive defensive record in Cairo as they eventually found a way past unfortunate Tunisia, who were denied another clear penalty late on.

Henri Saivet wasted a glorious chance to send Senegal through towards the end of normal time in Sunday’s clash when failing to convert from the penalty spot, five minutes after Ferjani Sassi had done likewise at the opposite end of the field.

An unfortunate own goal from Dylan Bronn 10 minutes into extra time proved to be the winner for Aliou Cisse’s side, who will face either Algeria or Nigeria in Friday’s final, but Tunisia felt aggrieved as they were awarded a late penalty only for that decision to be controversially overturned following a VAR check.

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Senegal dominated the first half and should have taken a lead into the interval as Youssouf Sabaly hit the frame of the goal with his 18-yard curling attempt. Sadio Mane then fired wide when off balance after doing the hard work by rounding Mouez Hassen.

Taha Khenissi and Sassi came close for Tunisia in the space of a minute at the start of the second half, with the latter at least managing to test Alfred Gomis with his effort.

The game then exploded into life with 17 minutes of normal time to go as both teams were awarded a penalty.

Sassi’s shot was blocked by the arm of Kalidou Koulibaly in the box and the midfielder stepped up to take the poorly-taken pen, which Gomis was equal to down to his right.

Senegal were awarded a spot-kick of their own three minutes later after Bronn felled Ismaila Sarr in the box, but Saivet was next to be denied with his attempt towards the bottom-right corner of the net saved.

But Tunisia were unable to make the most of their reprieve as Hassen flapped at a cross, which hit Bronn on the hand and then the face before trickling over the line.

Yet another incredible twist saw the referee point to the penalty spot for a third time with 115 minutes on the clock after Salif Sane headed the ball against Idrissa Gueye’s arm, but the initial call was overruled after a VAR check to the anger of Tunisia’s players.