Africa Cup of Nations round-up: Islan Slimani double unable to stop Algeria exit By PA Sport
Last Updated: 23/01/17 9:45pm
A double from Leicester striker Islam Slimani was not enough to stop Algeria from exiting the Africa Cup of Nations at the group stages on Monday evening. Their opponents Senegal were already assured of topping Group B but despite 10 alterations from their previous game, they still had enough to hold Georges Leekens' side to a 2-2 draw. Slimani opened the scoring on 10 minutes with his first goal of the finals, finishing off Sofiane Hanni's cross from six yards to put Algeria ahead. There was almost a second moments later but Hanni could not head Riyad Mahrez's corner on target.
Mahrez could have widened the margin just after the half-hour mark but saw his low effort saved by Cheick N'Diaye in the Senegal goal after a fine exchange of passes with Yacine Brahimi.
Senegal equalised just before the interval as Pape Diop sent a bouncing half-volley past Malik Asselah after Aissa Mandi's header fell to the Espanyol midfielder.
It was Leicester pair Mahrez and Slimani who combined to put Algeria back in front after 52 minutes, the former seeing an untidy finish just cross the line from his club-mate's cross.
But the lead lasted little more than a minute as Mousa Sow's low drive brought Senegal level for the second time in the contest.
Slimani should have completed his hat-trick in the latter stages but missed the target when through on goal as he and Mahrez now return to help Premier League champions Leicester improve their fortunes.
Elsewhere, Tunisia eased into the quarter-finals of the competition with a 4-2 win over Zimbabwe.
Needing only a draw to seal their qualification as Group B runners-up, Tunisia stormed 3-0 in front in 36 minutes and led 4-1 at half-time.
Zimbabwe salvaged some pride with a second goal but Tunisia's progression was never under any threat.
The opening goal came in the ninth minute when a corner was sent directly to Naim Sliti 20 yards out and his deflected shot beat Zimbabwe keeper Tatenda Mkuruva.
Youssef Msakni doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, firing home low after a one-two with Sliti, and Yassine Khenissi added the third with a sliding near-post finish after being played in by Hamdi Naguez.
Zimbabwe claimed an eye-catching consolation goal just before half-time when Knowledge Musona juggled past two defenders and hammered home.
But if they - and Algeria, who needed Tunisia to lose if they were to progress - had any hopes of a turnaround, they were quickly dashed as Costa Nhamoinesu shoved Khenissi in the penalty area. The forward may have handled the ball beforehand, but the penalty was awarded and Wahbi Khazri's shot found its way under Mkuruva.
Zimbabwe pulled another goal back just before the hour when the impressive Musona set half-time substitute Tendai Ndoro free on an overlapping run and he took a touch and beat Rami Jridi.
Mkuruva saved from Khenissi, who headed a follow-up effort against the post. Msakni was also denied by the keeper but Tunisia's work was done and they advance to face Group A winners Burkina Faso.
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