Reigning champs Algeria crash out of African Cup

Ivory Coast`s defender Ghislain Konan (L) hugs Ivory Coast`s midfielder Franck Kessie (R) as they celebrate after Ivory Coast won the Group E Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) 2021 football match between Ivory Coast and Algeria in Douala. Pic/AFP

The Ivory Coast crushed an abject Algeria 3-1 on Thursday with Nicolas Pepe among the scorers as the reigning champions crashed out of the Africa Cup of Nations in the group stage.

Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare scored in the first half for the Elephants in Douala, while Pepe added another goal after the break as the Ivory Coast secured top spot in Group E.

Riyad Mahrez hit the post with a second-half penalty before Sofiane Bendebka pulled one back for Algeria with their first goal since arriving in Cameroon, but by then it was too late. It is the fifth time in the last six Cups of Nations that the reigning champions have failed to make the AFCON knockout phase.

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