Unrecognizable, the armada of Djamel Belmadi, where Riyad Mahrez shot a penalty (60th) on the post, lost all its magic and finished last in its group.

The "Elephants" were much stronger, quietly victorious on goals from Franck Kessié (22nd), Ibrahim Sangaré (39th) and Nicolas Pépé (54th) to win first place in group E.

But another giant stands in the way of Patrice Beaumelle's men, Egypt, for an 8th final on January 26 in Douala (5:00 p.m.).

Equatorial Guinea will also see the round of 16, thanks to their victory against Sierra Leone on a goal by Pablot Ganet which still bears the signature of the brilliant Iban Salvador, its leader, decisive passer.

The "Nzalang Nacional" will face the winner of Group F, where the fight between Mali, Gambia and Tunisia will be resolved on Thursday evening.

The title holder will therefore not be part of the party.

Algeria showed nothing on the damaged lawn of the Japoma stadium.

His attack missed everything, like Baghdad Bounedjah's failed return or Mohamed Belaïli's simulations to try to have Simon Deli excluded.

The captain of the Algerian team Riyad Mahrez disappointed on the 3rd goal of Côte d'Ivoire in Douala, January 20, 2022 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP

Côte d'Ivoire easily broke away thanks to a nice pass from Pépé for Kessié, who opened his foot well, then a header from Sangaré, very easily freed from the failing Algerian marking.

"We did not know how to rise to the occasion"

A wrapped shot from Pépé sank the "Greens", and Mahrez missed the penalty following a foul by Deli on Bounedjah (60th).

Algeria only reduced the score by Sofiane Bendebka (74th), and limply pushed in the last quarter of an hour.

Sébastien Haller missed sinking the Algerians with a spiked header (90th + 4), but his goal was disallowed for offside.

African champions in 1990, the "Fennecs" had also been eliminated in the first round at the following CAN, in 1992 in Senegal, with already a defeat against Côte d'Ivoire (3-0), which had finished champion of Africa.

Arriving undefeated in Cameroon, Algeria extended their unbeaten streak to 35 matches before losing twice.

Algeria coach Djamel Belmadi during the decisive match against Côte d'Ivoire at the CAN in Douala, January 20, 2022 CHARLY TRIBALLEAU AFP

"We did not know how to live up to it", admitted coach Djamel Belmadi at the microphone of Canal Plus Afrique, speaking of "failure, quite simply".

The next big meeting for the selection led by Belmadi is in March for the World Cup play-offs, the draw of which takes place on Sunday in Douala.

© 2022 AFP