"A defeat often serves as a lesson and is a reason to fuel the enthusiasm and will of determined and ambitious people to excel and bring out the best in them ... Don't give up ... Keep going, believe in your skills, and follow your goals ... We support you and pray to God to guide your steps in your next games," wrote President Tebboune on his Twitter account.

The titleholders, the Greens stumbled on Thursday against Côte d'Ivoire (3-1) in Douala and left the competition in the first round.