AFCON 2019: Thursday Scores, Results, Standings and Updated Schedule

Algeria edged out Senegal 1-0 in Group C play at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations on Thursday.

The Algerians booked their place in the next round with a 49th-minute effort from Youcef Belaili.

Madagascar beat Burundi 1-0 in Group B, with Kenya defeating Tanzania 3-2 in the late Group C kick-off.

Thursday's AFCON Results

Madagascar 1-0 Burundi 

Senegal 0-1 Algeria 

Kenya 3-2 Tanzania 

Friday's Schedule

Tunisia vs. Mali: 4:30 p.m. local, 3:30 p.m. BST, 10:30 a.m. ET (Group E)

Morocco vs. Ivory Coast: 7 p.m. local, 6 p.m. BST, 1 p.m. ET (Group D)

South Africa vs. Namibia: 10 p.m. local, 9 p.m. BST, 4 p.m. ET (Group D)

Table 

(Played, Won, Drawn, Lost, Goal Difference and Points)

Group B 

1. Nigeria: 2, 2, 0, 0, +2, 6

2. Madagascar: 2, 1, 1, 0, +1, 4

3. Guinea: 2, 0, 1, 1, -1, 1

4. Burundi: 2, 0, 0, 2, -2, 0

Group C

1. Algeria: 2, 2, 0, 0, +3, 6

2. Senegal: 2, 1, 0, 1, +1, 3

3. Kenya: 2, 1, 0, 1, -1, 3

4. Tanzania 2, 0, 0, 2, -3, 0

Thursday's Recap

JAVIER SORIANO/Getty Images

Algeria won the battle of two of the competition favourites in a game of fine margins in Cairo, Egypt.

Liverpool's Sadio Mane and Manchester City's Riyad Mahrez were both on display for their countries, with the latter captaining his team to victory.

A tight first half witnessed both teams struggle to create clear chances. Mane appeared the most dangerous attacker on the pitch, but the Senegalese had his opportunities restricted.

The Desert Foxes turned the game in their favour after taking the lead shortly after half-time. Good work from Sofiane Feghouli allowed Youcef Belaili to score the only goal of the game after a sumptuous counter-attack.

Eurosport UK shared the excellent finish that collected the points:

Madagascar sprinted out of the blocks against Burundi, who sat deep in preparation to counter-attack.

The former controlled the flow of the action but could not beat goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana in the first half.

The Barea's Romain Metanire almost broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time. However, the 29-year-old's long-range shot whistled past the post.

Burundi made tactical changes in the second half, and they surprisingly replaced Saido Berahino on the hour mark. The Stoke City forward had failed to make an impression with Madagascar in control of possession.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/Getty Images

Burundi began to find their way into the contest, and Madagascar were noticeably struggling with the task at hand.

Nicolas Dupuis' men started to fade in the final stages, while Burundi were transformed and appeared the more likely to take three points.

However, Madagascar scored a blockbuster against the run of play with 14 minutes remaining when Marco Ilaimaharitra's free-kick flew into the net to spark wild scenes of celebration.

BBC Sport's John Bennett hailed the quality of the strike:

Burundi were on the front foot again, quickly moving through the gears in search of an equaliser. The clock was against them, and time ran out on their comeback efforts.

Kenya ended the night with a comeback victory after going behind after just six minutes against Tanzania, thanks to Simon Msuva. Michael Olunga grabbed an equaliser with six minutes of the first half remaining.

However, it took Tanzania just a minute to regain the lead through Mbwana Samatta before half-time.

Hassan Ammar/Associated Press

The Kenyans wrestled control in the second half and turned a potential loss into three points.

Johanna Omolo's header made it 2-2 after 62 minutes, allowing Olunga to earn his brace and score the winner with 10 minutes left.

The victory put Kenya in third, but they are level on points with second-placed Senegal going into the final group game. The two sides will play on Sunday in a bid to advance with Algeria.