AFCON
Ex-AFCON Winners, Algeria Exits Tournament In Cote d’Ivoire As Angola, Burkina Faso Progresses
African Cup of Nations (AFCON) former winners, Algeria has been kicked out of the ongoing tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
Algeria last won the AFCON in 2019 in Egypt. Sportxparte understands that Algeria is considered as one of the heavyweights to win the ongoing tournament in Cote d’Ivoire.
However, the country was eliminated from the 2023 AFCON after they failed to prove their prowes in the Group State.
In order to have a chance at advancing to the next round, Algeria needed to defeat the lower-ranked Mauritania on January 23. Regrettably, the two-time AFCON champions were unable to overcome Mauritania and suffered an unexpected 1-0 loss.
Yali Dellahi of Al Nassr scored the decisive goal in the 37th minute, securing Mauritania’s first and only victory in the tournament.
This 1-0 triumph propelled Mauritania to finish third in Group D, accumulating three points from three matches. On the other hand, Algeria settled at the bottom of the group with only two points from three games.
Angola, Burkina Faso Qualifies To AFCON Round of 16
Meanwhile, the match between the two dominant forces in the group, Angola and Burkina Faso, concluded in an astonishing manner. Angola, who emerged as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, defeated Burkina Faso 2-0, securing the top spot in Group D.
Angola concluded their group stage campaign with an impressive seven points, achieved through two wins and one draw in three matches.
Despite the defeat, Burkina Faso managed to qualify for the next round with four points from three games.
As of now, the opponents for Burkina Faso and Angola in the next round of the 2023 AFCON have not yet been confirmed.