Their last title was won back in 1990 and they were expected to defeat Kenya as they made a return to the tournament 15 years after their last appearance in 2004.

Algeria dominated the opening exchanges at the 30 June Stadium with Youcef Belaili and Baghdad Bounedjah both going close.

The deadlock was broken when Dennis Odhiambo brought down Youcef Atal, allowing Bounedjah to fire home a penalty for a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute.

Manchester City star Riyad Mahrez doubled Algeria's lead against Kenya with a deflected shot from Ismael Bennacer's cut-back just before the break.

Kenya came into the game in the second-half but failed to produce any clear chances.

Earlier in the same Stadium, Senegal had defeated Tanzania by the same score line to take their first three points of the campaign.

Star player Sadio Mane was suspended for the opening game but it did not prove costly as goals from Keita Balde and Krepin Diatta in the 28th and 64th minutes were the difference in a comfortable victory.

In the opening game of Group D at Cairo's Al Salam Stadium, Morocco's blushes were spared thanks to an own-goal from Namibian Itamunua Keimuine in the 89th minute.

It looked like the south African minnows were headed for an unexpected point against the Moroccans until Keimuine headed into his own net from a Hakim Ziyach free kick to give Morocco all three points.