Ivory Coast got off to a winning start in defending their Africa Cup of Nations title, France great Zinedine Zidane looked after his goalkeeper’s son and Algeria also opened with a win on Wednesday.
Algeria, one of the favorites to win the tournament, defeated Sudan 10-a-side 3-0 with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice and 20-year-old Ibrahim Maza scoring his first international goal, moving them to the top of Group E.
“The most important thing was to start with a win,” Mahrez said. “We didn’t get off to a good start in the last two AFCONs. We really wanted to do that today and we did it.”
Zidane, who was at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat to watch his son Luca Zidane play in goal for Algeria, received cheers from the crowd every time his son appeared on the big screen.
1998 FIFA World Cup star Zinedine Zidane watches his son during the African Cup of Nations (CAN) Group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat. |Photo credit: AFP
1998 FIFA World Cup star Zinedine Zidane watches his son during the African Cup of Nations (CAN) Group E match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat. |Photo credit: AFP
Luca Zidane chose to represent his grandfather’s country after receiving an invitation from the Fenech Foxes, but was given his chance to shine due to an injury to Alexandre Oukija, who was originally expected to start.
Algeria wasted little time on Wednesday, with Mahrez opening the scoring in the second minute after being set up by Hisham Boudaoui’s unselfish play.
Immediately afterwards, Zidane was called in to deny the resting Yasser Awad.
Sudan had to play all of its qualifying matches away from home due to the civil war that has ravaged the country for nearly 1,000 days.
The Algerian looked confident and intense, but the big chance went to the other end, with Abdel-Rauf firing after Zidane produced another save from Awad.
Just before the break, when it started to rain, Salah Adil received a second yellow card for a foul on Rayan Ait Nouri and was sent off, otherwise he would have been sent off.
However, Algerian fans, who make up the majority, had to be patient.
Mahrez scored in the 61st minute with Mohamed Amoula’s superb cross from the outside of his boot, and Baghdad Bounedjah came on as a substitute to score in the 85th minute, heading the ball into the path of Maza.
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez broke the deadlock in just about two minutes and finished the night with two goals and three points against Sudan. |Photo courtesy: AP
Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez broke the deadlock in just about two minutes and finished the night with two goals and three points against Sudan. |Photo courtesy: AP
“I’m very happy,” Maza told The Associated Press. “My first goal in the first game of the African Cup, it couldn’t have been better for me, Alhamdulillah.”
An optimistic start for Elephant. Cameron wins against Gabon
A second-half goal from Amad Diallo was enough for defending champions Ivory Coast to beat Mozambique 1-0 in a rain-soaked game in Fez.
Elephants captain Franck Kessie headed the ball back and Diallo curled it inside the far corner just after the break.
Ivory Coast, who won the title in incredible fashion on their home turf last time out, had two good chances denied by Vakun Bayo in the final stages and missed numerous chances to end the match.
Amad Diallo proved to be a difference-maker for Ivory Coast, scoring the winning goal against Mozambique. |Photo courtesy: AP
Amad Diallo proved to be a difference-maker for Ivory Coast, scoring the winning goal against Mozambique. |Photo courtesy: AP
Jenny Katamo then evaded three Ivorian defenders in stoppage time, but her final effort fell short and goalkeeper Yahia Fofana converted to seal the victory.
In the other Group F match, Etta Eyon’s early goal past the goalkeeper was enough for five-time champions Cameroon to beat Gabon 1-0 in the coastal city of Agadir.
In the opening game of Group E, Edmond Tapsoba scored two goals in stoppage time as Burkina Faso completed a remarkable comeback to beat 10-a-side Equatorial Guinea 2-1.
Tapsoba’s side were pushing hard for the first goal after Basilio Ndong was sent off early in the second half after hurting Bertrand Traore’s ankle.
Then, in the 85th minute, Marvin Anibault surprised the Stallions by diving into Carlos Akapo’s cross and scoring a looping header.
Giorgi Minungo scored the equalizer in the fifth minute of stoppage time, and Tapsoba headed home the winning goal three minutes later.
Published December 25, 2025
