Said Benrahma fluffed his lines as Algeria were held to a goalless draw in the North Arfican's opening game of the African Nations Cup.
West Ham's attacking midfielder, on as an 83rd-minute replacement for Brest's Haris Belkebla was presented with a golden opportunity to win the game against Sierra Leone just three minutes after entering the fray.However he was unable to connect with a pinpoint cross that left him favourite to hit the target and his shot fell wide of the goal - and with it, went Algeria's chances of securing a win.
Starting the game for the Algerians ahead of Benrahma was former Hammer Sofiane Feghouli, now 32, who featured for 64 minutes before being replaced by Metz midfielder Farid Boulaya.
The other two teams in Algeria's group, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea face off in Douala's Japoma Stadium on Thursday evening in their first match of the tournament.
Meanwhile Algeria and Benrahma's next fixture takes place against Equatorial Guinea this Sunday (16 January) with their final Group E fixture against Ivory Coast scheduled for next Thursday, 20 January.
Algeria: M'Bolhi, Attal, Mandi, Bedrane, Bensebaini, Belkebla, Mahrez, Feghouli, Brahimi, Belaili, Slimani
Subs used: Benlamri (46), Bounedjah (65), Bendebka (65), Boulaya (64), Benrahma (83)
Sierra Leone: Kamara, Kakay, Bangura, Caulker, Wright, Quee, Kamara, Bundu, Kamara, Turay, Kamara
Subs used: Fofanah (76), KaiKai (84)
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