Algeria netted a stoppage-time equaliser to escape defeat at the Africa Cup of Nations finals on Saturday in an exciting 2-2 draw with Burkina Faso in Group D in Bouake that spared the 2019 champions yet another disappointing result at the tournament.
Baghdad Bounedjah netted from a corner five minutes into stoppage time at the end to ensure a share of the spoils and deny Burkina Faso early progress to the next stage.
Bounedjah scored both Algeria's goals while Mohamed Konate and Bertrand Traore netted for the Burkinabe, who are second in the group on four points to two for Algeria.
Two goals from Gelson Dala edged Angola closer to a place in the next stage as they beat Mauritania 3-2 to go top of the Group D standings - above Burkina Faso on goals scored - in a match full of high quality goals.
Winger Gilberto netted the other for the winners while Amar Sidi Bouna and Aboubakary Koita scored fine individual efforts for Mauritania, who lost a second game at the tournament in Ivory Coast and sit bottom of the standings.
Tunisia picked up their first point at this year's edition of the tournament, coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Mali in their second Group E game.
Mali took an early lead through Lassine Sinayoko but Hamza Rafia equalised for Tunisia within 10 minutes at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium.
Tunisia had suffered an upset defeat in their opening game against Namibia while Mali beat South Africa the same evening and now top the standings with four points.
Namibia and South Africa play their second group game in Korhogo on Sunday.
Mali were ahead in the 10th minute as Sinayoko scored a second goal at the tournament, striking home from the left with his shot going in off the inside of the post.
But in the 20th minute, Tunisia levelled as sweeping passing move was completed by fullback Ali Abdi pulling the ball back into the path of Rafia, who fired it home to level matters.
With the top two teams in each group, plus the four best third placed finishers, advancing to last 16, Mali’s four-point haul is almost certain to secure then them a place in the next round.
But Tunisia, who beat France at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, will likely need a win in their last game on Wednesday against South Africa in Korhogo to stand any chance of advancing.
Elsewhere, Senegal coach Aliou Cisse was discharged from hospital in Yamoussoukro but striker Abdallah Sima has returned to Scottish club Rangers after he was injured and ruled out of the rest of the competition, a team statement said.
Cisse was admitted on Friday following his team's 3-1 victory over Cameroon but is now back with the squad at their hotel in the Ivorian capital.
"He was treated by the medical staff and care services of Yamoussoukro hospital for a benign infection," said the Senegalese Football Federation on Saturday.
Cisse was admitted hours after Senegal won their second game at the tournament, a result that secured them a place in the next round.
Cisse has been coach of his country since 2015 and led them to victory at the last Cup of Nations two years ago. The 47-year-old also coached them at the last two World Cup finals.
Meanwhile, striker Sima is out of the tournament after suffering an injury in training on Wednesday.
"Abdallah Sima left today after examinations following an injury contracted during training on Wednesday. He has an injury to the long adductor of the left thigh," a statement said.
"Presuming a long period of unavailability of the player, the medical staff of the Senegal team and his club,
Glasgow Rangers, have decided to return him to the club for optimal management of his injury."
The 22-year-old had been a late call-up by the defending champions.
