Group E
Results
*Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Sudan
*Algeria 1-0 Burkina Faso
Table
- Algeria – 6pts
- Burkina Faso – 3
- Sudan – 3
- Equatorial Guinea- 0
Algeria have squeezed into the AFCON round of 16 after a hard fought 1-0 win over Burkina Faso in Group E match at Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat.
Riyad Mahrez scored the only goal of the game to hand Algeria their second win from as many games having beaten Sudan 3-0 in their opener.
The goal arrived in the 22nd minute after Ismahila Ouedraogo brought down Rayan Ait Nouri in the forbidden area for the referee to point to the spot.
And Mahrez, currently playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, slotted in with his left foot, sending the goalkeeper the opposite side.
Burkina Faso struggled to create meaningful opportunities, with Pierre Kabore coming closest but headed a rebound wide of the right post.
Algeria had some good chances, Mohamed Amoura had time and space inside the box but his shot was kept out by goalkeeper Herve Koffi while Ibrahim Maza shot wide and later had an effort easily collected by Koffi.
Algeria who won this title twice in 1990 and 2019, will meet Equatorial Guinea on Wednesday in their last group game.
It’s a huge relief for Algeria who failed to go out of the group in the last edition in Ivory Coast, finishing bottom of Group D that also had Angola, Burkina Faso and Mauritania.
Burkina Faso on the other hand, are on three points, level with Sudan who earlier beat Equatorial Guinea.
The West African side, beaten finalists in 2013, face Sudan on Wednesday as they seek to seal a place in the knockout.