Riyad Mahrez inspired Algeria to a convincing start at the Africa Cup of Nations, scoring twice in a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sudan on Wednesday.
The Algerian captain struck almost immediately, finding the net in the second minute, before doubling his tally on the hour mark against a Sudan side reduced to 10 men before half-time. Substitute Ibrahim Maza wrapped up the win late on with Algeria’s third goal.
Sudan’s problems deepened in the 39th minute when Salahedin Adil was shown a second yellow card, becoming only the second player sent off at the tournament since it began on Sunday.
Mahrez was clinical throughout, taking both chances with trademark composure to underline Algeria’s credentials as one of the leading contenders in Morocco.
The opener came after a slick move involving Baghdad Bounedjah and Hicham Boudaoui, whose clever backheel released Mahrez to finish from close range. The second followed another moment of quality, with Mohamed Amoura using the outside of his boot to slip a perfectly weighted pass into Mahrez’s path.
Algeria’s third arrived five minutes from time as Bounedjah nodded the ball into the area for Maza, the 20-year-old scoring his first international goal. The strike also marked Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history.
Adil Boulbina came close to adding a fourth in stoppage time, but Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel produced two sharp saves to deny him, capping a busy night despite the defeat.
Among the spectators was France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane. His son, Luca Zidane, started in goal for Algeria and earned his second cap after switching allegiance from France, qualifying through his grandparents.
In the same Group E action, Burkina Faso produced a stunning late turnaround to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in Casablanca. Despite being reduced to a man down early in the second half, Equatorial Guinea took the lead in the 85th minute through substitute Marvin Anieboh.
However, Burkina Faso refused to give up. Georgi Minoungou equalised deep into stoppage time before Edmond Tapsoba struck with virtually the final kick to seal all three points.
Algeria sit top of Group E on goal difference, level on points with Burkina Faso, as the competition continues.
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