AFCON 2021: Defending Champions, Algeria crash out with just 1 point

 

Defending champions, Algeria have crashed out of the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON), in Cameroon after losing 3-1 to Ivory Coast in their last group match on Thursday evening.

Algeria failed to qualify to the next round of the tournament after securing just one point in their two previous games against Sierra Leone.

Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare scored in the first half for the Elephants in Douala, while Pepe added another goal after the break as the Ivory Coast secured top spot in Group E.

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Riyad Mahrez failed to convert a second-half penalty before Sofiane Bendebka pulled one back for Algeria, their first goal since arriving in Cameroon, but it was too late to change the score line.

Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea cruised to the round of 16 from the group with 7 and 6 points respectively, while Algeria and Sierra Leone crashed out with just one and 2 points respectively.