Algeria Returns Home Having Gained only One Point at the AFCON
Algeria’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence is over after three matches, one point and one goal following their 3-1 defeat by the Ivory Coast in Thursday’s Group E decider in Douala.
The Fennecs were hotly tipped to retain the Nations Cup they won in Egypt in 2019, particularly coming into the tournament on the back of their success at the Arab Cup at the end of 2021 and while enjoying a 35-match undefeated streak that was comfortably an African record.
Their performances in Cameroon, while far from the standards they’ve shown in recent years, haven’t been dreadful, and they headed into the final game against Ivory Coast having averaged greater possession, more chances created and more shots on target than any other team in the tournament.
