Historic hit in the African Cup. Algeria, defending champions, was eliminated in the group stage after falling on matchday three against Ivory Coast (3-1). Previously, they had tied with Sierra Leone (0-0) and lost against Equatorial Guinea (0-1), two teams that, a priori, were several steps below the Algerian team, which had arrived in Cameroon with aspirations of retaining the title of champion with players like Mahrez, Bennacer or Mandi in their ranks.
The Ivory Coast, which was worth the draw to avoid being left out of the tournament, did not speculate on the result and went ahead after half an hour of play thanks to a goal by Milan midfielder Kessie, who finished first in the area with a center from the baseline by Pepé, an Arsenal attacker, who in the second half completed his great performance with a flag goal (driving 20 meters and threading the long post). If the stars of the orange elephants begin to connect, something that was not seen until this Thursday, the Ivorians have options to go very far in the tournament. There is no doubt that adding individualities, they are one of the best teams in all of Africa. Before the break, Sangaré, with a header, left the game practically sentenced. In the final minutes, Bandekba scored the goal of the little honor left to an Algeria that says goodbye to the CAN earlier than expected.
With the victory of the Ivory Coast, which ends up leader of group E, Equatorial Guinea only needed one point to advance to the round of 16. But the national Nzalang did not want to risk and prevailed over Sierra Leone thanks to a goal from Murcia midfielder Pablo Ganet. A historic feat for a team that has 15 footballers born in Spain and that goes through the round for the first time in an African Cup without being the host.
For its part, Sierra Leone fell just short of qualifying. In the 86th minute, a penalty committed by Ganet gave the star lions the opportunity to pass as one of the best third parties, but Kai Kamara missed the launch. Even so, the Star Lions return to their country as true heroes after achieving two historic draws with the Ivory Coast and Algeria. It is not for less.