Mauritania managed their first win in the African Cup of Nations AFCON after beating Algeria 1-0, sending the 2019 champions crushing out of the continental show piece.

The defeat means Algeria exit the tournament at the group stage for the second successive edition.

They finish bottom of Group D while Mauritania will definitely progress as one of the best third-placed teams.

Algeria join fellow former champions Ghana in being eliminated after results earlier on Tuesday meant the Black Stars, with just two points to their name, cannot qualify as one of the top four third-placed sides.

Algeria had the best record of any team in qualifying for the 2023 finals but several of their players left the field in tears and they bowed out having not won a single game in the tournament’s two editions since lifting the title four years ago.

The 2019 AFCON champions Algeria had drawn their opening two group games in Ivory Coast and knew another draw at the Stade de la Paix would secure qualification as a point would put them among the four best-ranked third-placed teams.

Minnows Mauritania will now play Cape Verde from Group B in the Knockout stage on Monday.

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