AFCON champions Algeria out after Ivory Coast defeat

Champions Algeria are out of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 3-1 to Ivory Coast - and it's a result that continues the curse of past winners of the competition.

Since the 2010 edition of the tournament won by Egypt, none of the winners have been able to retain their crown with Algeria the latest name to join a list that includes previous trophy-holders such as Nigeria (2013) and Cameroon (2019).

Algeria will go home with their tail firmly between their legs with just a single point, and only one goal scored in three matches.

For a team containing the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Said Benrahma and Ismael Bennacer it's a veritable disaster, with their humiliation compounded by finishing behind both Equatorial Guinea and Sierra Leone in Group E.

They needed a win at Douala Stadium to stand any hope of progressing, but though they dominated the ball they were impotent in front of goal, and were punished for defensive errors with Ivory Coast finding the net through Franck Kessie, Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Pepe.

Algeria did at least get on the scoresheet through Sofiane Bendekba and really should have had another, but Mahrez flunked an opportunity from the penalty spot.

Equatorial Guinea more than capitalised on Algeria's malaise by qualifying for the knockouts with six points, having beaten both Algeria and Sierra Leone.

Pablo Ganet was the hero for his side against the latter, landing the only goal of the game, with Esteban Orozco netting against the Algerians last Sunday.