In spite of criticisms of Belmadi, Algeria topped group C won all three matches including a 1–0 victory over 2018 FIFA World Cup's participant Senegal.

[3] Algeria's solid performance continued with a 3–0 win over Guinea in the round of sixteen;[4] before they overcame Ivory Coast in a hard-fought encounter which they won in a penalty shootout 4–3, after having drawn 1–1 after 120 minutes.

[5] The Algerians then went on to defeat Nigeria 2–1 with a dying minute's free kick shot by Riyad Mahrez.

[6] Facing Senegal once again in the final, Baghdad Bounedjah scored the only goal of the game as Algeria won 1–0, earning them their second title since 1990.

This made Algeria the second North African side after Egypt to win more than one AFCON trophy.