AFCON Holders Algeria, have been knocked out of the competition by Ivory Coast, Equatorial Guinea join them in round of 16 after beating Sierra Leone
By Kehinde Okeowo
African Cup of Nations’ holders and the highest ranked side in the continent, Algeria have been eliminated from the competition, after failing to win a single game in their group E.
The Algerian team captained by Man City winger, Riyad Mahrez were second best in all departments, as Ivory Coast convincingly won the encounter in Douala.
Needing a win to qualify for the knockout stages, Algeria trailed by two goals at the break after Franke Kessie capped off a fine move in the 22nd minute and Ibrahim Sangare headed home another in the 39th minute.
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Arsenal winger, Nicolas Pepe put the Ivorians 3-0 up in the 54th minute before Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez hit a penalty against the post in the 60th minute.
Algeria got a consolation goal in the 73rd minute through Sofiane Bendebka after an assist from Aissa Mandi but they exited the competition without winning a game.
Djamel Belmadi’s men are the third holders to exit at the first hurdle in the past five Nations Cup finals.
Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea defeated Sierra Leone 1-0 in the other game and qualified for round 16 as the second team in Group E, while the Leone Stars crashed out of the tournament alongside Algeria.
