Mauritania  served up another shock result at this year’s Africa Cup of Nations finals to dump 2019 winners Algeria  out of the tournament with a 1-0 victory and seal a historic place in the round of 16 at the Stade de la Paix on Tuesday.

Mauritania had never led in any of their previous eight matches at the continental finals, let alone won a game, but a first half goal from Yali Dellahi was enough to send Algeria packing in a second successive embarrassing early exit for coach Djamel Belmadi’s side after a similar failure in 2021.

Angola took top spot in Group D with seven points from three games followed by Burkina Faso   (four), who they beat 2-0. Mauritania (three) will be among the four best third-placed sides and earn a knockout spot. Algeria end fourth (two).

Algeria look a shadow of the side that lifted the trophy in Egypt in 2019. They dropped captain Riyad Mahrez   to the bench against Mauritania but brought him on at half-time in a desperate bid to reverse their fortunes which proved fruitless in the end.

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com