Defending champions Ivory Coast and former winners Algeria secured contrasting victories on Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the first round of group matches at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scored the decisive goal for Ivory Coast against Mozambique, while Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez led his team to a 3-0 win over Sudan. These results set the stage for competitive clashes as the tournament progresses in Morocco.
The matches, played across multiple Moroccan cities, saw a mix of tight contests and dominant performances. Cameroon also edged out Gabon 1-0, and Burkina Faso snatched a late 2-1 victory against Equatorial Guinea, adding to the drama of the opening round. The tournament is being closely watched by football fans across the continent and globally.
AFCON 2025: Ivory Coast and Algeria Start Strong
Ivory Coast’s narrow 1-0 win over Mozambique in Marrakesh demonstrated the increasing competitiveness of African football. Diallo’s goal in the second half proved crucial, breaking the deadlock against a resilient Mozambican side. This victory is a significant step for the Ivorians as they aim to become the first team to successfully defend their AFCON title since Egypt in 2010.
Meanwhile, Algeria showcased their attacking prowess with a convincing 3-0 win against a 10-man Sudan in Rabat. Captain Riyad Mahrez, now playing for Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia, scored a brace, bringing his total AFCON goals to eight. Ibrahim Maza added a late goal, marking Algeria’s 100th goal in the history of the tournament.
Mahrez Leads Algeria’s Dominant Performance
Mahrez opened the scoring for Algeria just 82 seconds into the match, delighting the Algerian supporters who comprised the majority of the 16,115 spectators. His second goal, assisted by a clever pass from Mohamed Amoura, further solidified Algeria’s control of the game. The team’s performance signaled a strong intent to overcome their disappointing exits in the previous two AFCON tournaments, where they were eliminated in the first round without a win.
Adding a personal touch to the Algerian victory, France legend Zinedine Zidane was present in the stands to watch his son, Luca Zidane, start in goal for the Desert Foxes. Zidane’s presence drew enthusiastic cheers from the Algerian fans, highlighting the national pride surrounding the team.
Other Notable Results and Records
In Agadir, Cameroon secured a 1-0 win over Gabon thanks to an early goal from Karl Etta Eyong. The match was described as a fiery central African showdown. Burkina Faso’s dramatic 2-1 victory over Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca saw them score twice in added time, with Edmond Tapsoba netting the winning goal in the 98th minute.
A noteworthy moment occurred during the Ivory Coast-Mozambique match, as Mozambique’s Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe, at 42 years old, became the second-oldest player to ever compete in an AFCON tournament, trailing only Egypt’s Essam El Hadary who played at 44. This highlights the longevity and experience present within African football.
Sudan’s struggles in the Africa Cup of Nations continued, with their win against the trophy in 1970 remaining their only victory in 17 matches. Equatorial Guinea’s hopes were dashed by a late collapse despite playing with a man advantage for much of the second half.
The opening round of the AFCON tournament has provided a glimpse of the exciting football to come. The focus now shifts to the remaining group stage matches, where teams will battle for qualification to the knockout rounds. Ivory Coast faces Cameroon and Gabon in their upcoming fixtures, while Algeria will look to maintain their momentum against their next opponents. The tournament continues to be a showcase of African talent and passion for the game, with fans eagerly anticipating further upsets and displays of skill.
The next phase of the group stage will be crucial in determining which teams advance. Observers will be watching closely to see if Ivory Coast can maintain their winning form and if Algeria can continue to dominate their group. The unpredictable nature of tournament football suggests that further surprises are likely as the AFCON progresses.