Riyad Mahrez Stars as Algeria Secures 3-0 Victory Against Sudan in AFCON Opener

In the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) opener, captain Riyad Mahrez showcased his incredible talent by scoring two goals, guiding Algeria to a commanding 3-0 victory over Sudan, who played with 10 men.

The excitement began just 82 seconds into the match, with Mahrez thrilling the 16,115 attendees at Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat, most of whom were fervent supporters of the Algerian team.

Playing for Al-Ahli after his stint at Manchester City, Mahrez netted his second goal shortly after the hour mark. Substitute Ibrahim Maza capped off the game with a late goal, marking an ideal start for Algeria in Group E.

Zinedine Zidane, the legendary footballer whose roots trace back to Algeria, was among the audience, witnessing his son Luca take charge as the goalkeeper for the Desert Foxes. The crowd erupted in applause when Zidane’s image appeared on the big screen, delighting in their team's stellar display.

After being eliminated in the first round of the last two AFCON tournaments without any wins, Algeria wasted little time asserting dominance over Sudan.

Just after a minute into the game, Mohamed Amoura skillfully crossed the ball into the box, where Hicham Boudaoui executed a clever back-heel to position it perfectly for Mahrez, who then sent it into the net.

Sudan nearly leveled the score through Yaser Awad Boshara, but Zidane made a critical save, ensuring Algeria’s advantage remained intact.

The situation worsened for Sudan when Salaheldin Adil received a second yellow card six minutes before halftime for a foul on Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Algeria had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after, but Mahrez increased the lead in the 61st minute, finishing brilliantly after Amoura's outside-of-the-boot assist.

This goal marked Mahrez's eighth in the AFCON tournament during his sixth appearance, and he received a standing ovation from fans when substituted late in the game.

In the final minutes, Bayer Leverkusen's Ibrahim Maza scored from a Baghdad Bounedjah assist, marking Algeria’s 100th goal in AFCON history, cementing a 3-0 victory.

Sudan, which last triumphed in the Cup of Nations in 1970, now has only one win in their last 17 AFCON appearances.

In other Group E news, Burkina Faso achieved a thrilling 2-1 win against 10-man Equatorial Guinea, featuring a comeback that kept the tension high.

Despite being down a man early in the second half, Equatorial Guinea managed to score first through Marvin Anieboh in the 85th minute, but Burkina Faso rallied back to equalize and then secure the win with two late goals.

Both Algeria and Burkina Faso have begun their AFCON campaigns strong, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.