ABIDJAN – Former champions Algeria crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the group stage on Jan 23 after a shock defeat against Mauritania, but Cameroon secured a last-16 place with a dramatic victory over Gambia.
Algeria won their second Afcon title in Egypt in 2019 but were then also sent packing in the group stage at the last edition in Cameroon two years ago with just one point and one goal scored.
This campaign has been equally miserable for Djamel Belmadi’s team, who drew their first two matches in Group D against Angola and Burkina Faso but would have qualified for the knockout phase with a point against Mauritania.
Yet Mauritania, who had lost their opening two matches in Ivory Coast and had never won in eight previous attempts at the Afcon, ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a 37th-minute goal by captain Mohamed Yali Dellahi.
The result relegated Algeria to bottom spot in their group and they head home having now gone six Afcon matches without winning since beating Senegal 1-0 in the 2019 final.
Mauritania, meanwhile, are now certain to advance to the knockout phase for the first time in their history as one of the four best third-placed teams.
“Nobody was thinking about Mauritania, but football is like that, full of surprises, and we have been rewarded for all the hard work we have put in,” Mauritania coach Amir Abdou said.
Angola finish top of Group D ahead of Burkina Faso after beating the Stallions 2-0 in Yamoussoukro thanks to a goal in each half from Egypt-based striker Mabululu and Zini of AEK Athens.
Earlier on Jan 23, five-time champions Cameroon secured qualification for the next round with a 3-2 win over Gambia in an extraordinary match in Bouake.
Both teams needed a win to stand a chance of going through from Group C, and Cameroon took the lead early in the second half from a Karl Toko Ekambi header.
Yet Gambia, quarter-finalists two years ago, drew level on 72 minutes when Ablie Jallow finished past Fabrice Ondoa, preferred in goal to Manchester United’s Andre Onana.
Ebrima Colley then put Gambia ahead five minutes from time, meaning the Indomitable Lions were heading out.
However, James Gomez turned a cross into his own net two minutes later to make it 2-2, and Christopher Wooh then headed in Cameroon’s winner in stoppage time.
“It is in our DNA, it’s just what we are like,” Cameroon coach Rigobert Song said when it was put to him that his team never know when they are beaten. They will now face Nigeria in the last 16 on Jan 27.
Meanwhile, ex-champions Ghana and hosts Ivory Coast sacked their respective coaches Chris Hughton and Jean-Louis Gasset on Jan 24. Ghana crashed out in the group stage while the Ivorians are third in Group A and unsure of a last-16 spot. AFP
