Stylish Algeria win third game at AFCON

Algeria kept up their winning run at the Africa Cup of Nations, making it three out of three in Group E as they beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 on Wednesday to reaffirm their status among the tournament favourites.

Goals in the first half from Zineddine Belaid, Fares Chaibi and Ibrahim Maza saw a second-string side register a comfortable victory at the Stade Moula El Hassan, with veteran Emilio Nsue pulling one back for Equatorial Guinea after the break.

Algeria were already confirmed as group winners after beating Burkina Faso on Sunday to set up a last-16 clash with the Democratic Republic of Congo, enabling them to make nine changes for Wednesday's game.

Meanwhile, Burkina Faso booked second place with a 2-0 win over Sudan in Casablanca, with goals from Lassina Traore and Arsene Kouassi as their opponents squandered a penalty.

The Burkinabe finished on six points from three matches, three behind group winners Algeria, who advance with a perfect record. Sudan, meanwhile, progress as one of the four best third-placed teams.

Burkina Faso must wait for the completion of Group F later on Wednesday to learn their Round of 16 opponents: either defending champions Ivory Coast, Cameroon or Mozambique.

That knockout tie against the pool winner is set for Marrakech on Tuesday.

Sudan face a daunting test against 2021 champions Senegal in Tangier on Saturday.

Equatorial Guinea finished last in Group E without any points, unable to reprise their giant killing heroics of the last Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.