Algeria, which will play the United States in the opening round of the World Cup, lost to Malawi 3-0 Monday in the African Cup of Nations.

Tournament favorite Ivory Coast managed only a scoreless draw against Burkina Faso in Cabinda.

The soccer showcase has been reduced from 16 teams to 15 following Togo's withdrawal after two members of its delegation died in a gun attack on the team bus Friday.

Ivory Coast will have to defeat Ghana on Friday in Cabinda in its last Group B match to be guaranteed a quarterfinal spot. Ghana was to have played its first game Monday against Togo.

Algeria, champion in 1990, struggled against a team whose only previous appearance at the African Cup was in 1984.

The result means that Malawi leads Group A with three points, two ahead of Angola and Mali, which tied 4-4 in the tournament opener Sunday.