Gelson Dala scored twice as Angola beat Mauritania to close in on the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Forward Dala reacted smartly to the rebound from a corner to put his side ahead, firing a shot against the turf and into the roof of the net.

Sidi Amar levelled for the Lions of Chinguetti with a dazzling run and finish two minutes before half-time.

Dala and Gilberto both struck to make it 3-1 before Aboubakary Koita's spectacular consolation for Mauritania.

The result means Angola are guaranteed to advance with a point against Burkina Faso, who also have four points and drew 2-2 with Algeria earlier on Saturday, when the leaders meet in their final group-stage game on Tuesday (20:00 GMT).

Mauritania remain winless in all eight Afcon games they have played but the 105th-placed team in the world can savour what will be one of the most eye-catching goals at the tournament courtesy of Koita's glorious thunderbolt from outside the penalty area.

Their chances of progressing depend on victory against Algeria. Having lost 1-0 to Burkina Faso in their opener, they must then hope to finish as one of the four best third-placed teams in Ivory Coast - as must any of their rivals if they end the group campaign in third spot.