Dhaka, Dec. 30 -- Riyad Mahrez scored a first-half penalty as Algeria sealed their place in the knockout rounds of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) with a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso in their Group E clash in Rabat on Sunday.

Algeria have six points and will win the group as they cannot be overhauled by either Burkina Faso (3 points) or Sudan (3) following the third round of fixtures in the pool due to the head-to-head rule.

The Burkinabe meet Sudan in their final clash on Wednesday, while Algeria take on bottom side Equatorial Guinea, who are eliminated.

Algeria were awarded a penalty just past the 20-minute mark when Rayan Ait Nouri was felled in the box by Ismahila Ouedraogo, and Mahrez made no mistake as he sent Herve Koffi...