Mehdi Embareck Zeffane (R) of Algeria vies with Farid Mussa Shah of Tanzania during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations group C match in Cairo, Egypt, July 1, 2019. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
CAIRO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Algeria topped Group C of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt after beating Tanzania 3-0 in their Monday clash at Cairo's Al Salam Stadium.
After a strong start, Algeria's Islam Slimani broke the deadlock after 35 minutes. Four minutes later, Adam Ounas, who plays for Italian giants Napoli, doubled the lead before completing his brace on the stroke of half time.
The second half was entertaining but neither side hit the back of the net, as Tanzania, coached by Nigeria legend Emmanuel Amuneke, bid farewell to the competition.
The win ensured Algeria topped the group with the maximum nine points, while Tanzania's first AFCON ended as they finished their campaign pointless.
Meanwhile, Senegal grabbed the group's other ticket for the next round after beating Kenya 3-0 in their clash at the June 30 Stadium, also in Cairo.
Also on Monday, Cote d'Ivoire beat Namibia 4-1 in their third match of Group D.
In the 19th minute, Namibia almost opened the scoring through Peter Shalulile, whose header narrowly missed the target. Four minutes later, Shalulile was one-on-one with Ivorian goalkeeper Sylvain Gbohouo, but his shot was deflected wide.
In the 29th minute, Cote d'Ivoire's Wilfried Bony narrowly missed the target after a fine team effort. The same Bony missed an open goal in the 34th minute after Namibian goalkeeper Loydt Kazapua had left his line.
It was not until the 40th minute that the first goal of the game was scored when Toulouse striker Max-Alain Gradel latched onto Franck Kessie's pass and placed the ball in the net.
In the second half, the Ivorians added to the score in the 58th minute through Die Serey's powerful effort, making it 2-0.
Namibia cut the deficit to 2-1 in the 71st minute when Joslin Kamatuka beat Gbohouo, though the Ivorians' two-goal lead was restored seven minutes before the end of the match thanks to Wilfried Zaha's volley, and Maxwel Cornet added a fourth before the final whistle.
Cote d'Ivoire finished second in Group D behind Morocco, qualifying directly to the round of 16. South Africa, who finished third with three points, must wait on the results from other groups to find out their fate, while Namibia are directly eliminated.??
