AFCON: Defending champions Algeria crash out after 3-1 defeat by Ivory Coast
Algeria, the defending champions of the African Cup of Nations, have crashed out of the current edition of the tournament holding in Cameroon following a shock 3-1 defeat by Ivory Coast on Thursday night.
Algeria, which needed a win to stay alive, trailed by two goals at the break after Franke Kessie capped off a fine move and Ibrahim Sangare headed home.
Arsenal’s Nicolas Pepe put the Ivorians 3-0 up before Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez hit a penalty against the post.
Algeria, for whom Sofiane Bendebka scored a late consolation, exit bottom of Group E after a torrid campaign.
Djamel Belmadi’s men are the third holders to exit at the first hurdle in the past five Nations Cup finals.
Their departure from the competition is in marked contrast to their entry, travelling to Cameroon on a 34-match unbeaten run and looking to surpass Italy’s all-time record of 37.
The Algerians had drawn 0-0 with Sierra Leone before a 1-0 defeat by Equatorial Guinea, and leave with just one point from three games.
The cup holders however did at least finally get on the scoresheet in Cameroon when substitute Bendebka’s late goal inspired a brief rally.
Ivory Coast’s Elephants top the group to line up a mouth-watering last-16 match with Egypt, scheduled for Douala on Wednesday, 26 January.
As an army of orange-clad Ivorian fans roared their deafening approval, Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle started to rest players by making changes before Bendebka finally restored some respect for an Algerian team that lifted the trophy in Cairo three years ago.
Ajax striker Sebastien Haller thought he had added a fourth, and his second of the tournament, when heading home another Aurier cross late on, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
In confident form, showing real belief as well as excellent strength and purpose, Ivory Coast fully deserved a win which left Algeria’s despairing players sitting on the floor, staring into the distance in disbelief at the manner of their exit.
According to the BBC, Algeria became the 12th Nations Cup champions to exit the competition in the first round when defending the trophy.
The final whistle also prompted a significant pitch invasion as dozens of spectators flooded onto the grass and found themselves incredibly close to the players, before security forces belatedly restored order.
Douala is already under scrutiny for the quality of its surface – prompting suggestions matches may be moved from Cameroon’s largest city.
