Mueez Ajao
– Defending champions Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 3-1 to Ivory Coast in Douala.
– Needing a win to stay alive, Algeria 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.
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– Algeria, for whom Sofiane Bendebka scored a late consolation, exit bottom of Group E after a torrid display.
– Djamel Belmadi’s men are the third holders to exit at the first hurdle in the past five Nations Cup finals.