AFCON 2025: Zidane sees son make Africa Cup of Nations debut; Ivory Coast starts title defense with a win

Ivory Coast got off to a winning start in its Africa Cup of Nations title defense and French great Zinedine Zidane saw the safe hands of his goalkeeper son as Algeria also started its campaign with a win on Wednesday.

Riyad Mahrez scored twice and 20-year-old Ibrahim Maza scored his first international goal for tournament favorites Algeria as they beat 10-man Sudan 3-0 to top Group E.

“The most important thing was to start with a win,” Mahrez said. «We didn’t start well in the last two AFCONs. Today we really wanted to make it happen, and we succeeded.»

Zidane, who was at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat to watch his son Luca Zidane play in Algeria’s goal, was celebrated by the crowd every time he appeared on the big screens.

Luca Zidane opted to represent his grandfather’s country after receiving the invitation from the Fennec Foxes, and was given the opportunity to shine due to an injury to Alexandre Oukidja, who could have been expected to start otherwise.

Algeria wasted little time on Wednesday as Mahrez rifled home the opener in the second minute after an unselfish play from Hicham Boudaoui to put him ahead.

Zidane was called into action shortly afterwards to deny Yaser Awad a break.

Sudan had to play all its qualifying matches away from home due to the almost thousand-day civil war that ravaged the country.

Although the Algerians looked confident and played with intensity, the big chances came at the other end, with Zidane saving again from Awad before Abdel Raouf shot over.

Salah Adil was sent off the field with his second yellow card when it started to rain shortly before halftime for a foul on Rayan Aït-Nouri, who would otherwise have continued.

But the Algerian fans, who were in the majority, had to be patient.

Mohammed Amoura produced a brilliant cross with the outside of his boot for Mahrez to score in the 61st, and Baghdad Bounedjah headed the ball into the path of Maza for the substitute to complete the scoring in the 85th.

“I’m very happy,” Maza said The Associated Press. “My first goal in my first Africa Cup match, it couldn’t have gone better for me, Alhamdulillah.”

Optimistic start for elephants; Cameron beats Gabon

Amad Diallo’s second-half goal was enough for defending champions Ivory Coast to beat Mozambique 1-0 in a rainy match in Fes.

Elephants captain Franck Kessie headed the ball back and Diallo fired the ball into the far corner shortly after half-time.

Ivory Coast, who won the title on home turf in barely credible fashion last edition, missed a host of chances to see the match out, with Vakoun Bayo blocking two good chances late in the game.

Then Geny Catamo evaded three Ivorian defenders in stoppage time but lacked power with his final shot, which was collected by goalkeeper Yahia Fofana to secure the win.

In the other Group F match, Etta Eyong’s early goal through the goalkeeper’s legs was enough for five-time champions Cameroon to beat Gabon 1-0 in the coastal city of Agadir.

Edmond Tapsoba completed a remarkable turnaround as Burkina Faso scored two goals in stoppage time to beat 10-man Equatorial Guinea 2-1 in the early Group E match.

Tapsoba’s side had pushed hard for the opening goal after Basilio Ndong was sent off early in the second half for a poor challenge on Bertrand Traoré’s ankle.

Marvin Anieboh then stunned the Stallions when he launched himself at Carlos Akapo’s cross and scored with a looping header in the 85th minute.

Georgi Minoungou equalized in the fifth minute of stoppage time, with Tapsoba heading the winner three minutes later.

Published on December 25, 2025