Algeria made a confident start to their AFCON 2025 campaign on Wednesday night as captain Riyad Mahrez inspired a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sudan in their Group E opener.
The Desert Foxes needed just two minutes to take the lead at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, with Mahrez finishing calmly after a clever build-up involving Mohamed Amoura and Hicham Boudaoui. The early strike settled Algeria, who dominated possession and territory for most of the contest.
Mahrez doubled the advantage shortly after the hour mark, connecting with a well-weighted pass from Amoura to register his second goal of the night. The Al-Ahli winger, appearing at his sixth Africa Cup of Nations, was later substituted to loud applause from the largely Algerian crowd.
Sudan’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a major blow late in the first half when Salaheldin Adil was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Rayan Ait-Nouri, reducing his side to 10 men. Algeria continued to press, and although Ramy Bensebaini had a goal ruled out for offside, the pressure eventually told again.
Substitute Ibrahim Maza sealed the result five minutes from time, finishing from close range after Baghdad Bounedjah’s knockdown to score Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history.
Former France great Zinedine Zidane was among the spectators in Rabat, drawing loud cheers when he appeared on the stadium screens, with his son Luca starting in goal for Algeria and keeping a clean sheet.
The win marks a positive turnaround for Algeria, who exited at the group stage in their last two AFCON appearances without a victory. Sudan, meanwhile, continue to struggle at the tournament, managing just one win in their last 17 matches since lifting the trophy in 1970.
Earlier in the day, Burkina Faso produced a dramatic late comeback to defeat Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in the other Group E fixture. Two goals deep into stoppage time, from Georgi Minoungou and Edmond Tapsoba, overturned a late opener by Marvin Anieboh and handed Burkina Faso all three points despite Equatorial Guinea finishing with 10 men.
Group E is now set up with Algeria and Burkina Faso making early statements as the race for knockout qualification begins.
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