AFCON round up: Amad Diallo edges holders Ivory Coast past Mozambique

Burkina Faso snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over 10-man Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca earlier on Wednesday before Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria overcame Sudan.

LATE DRAMA: Two goals deep in second-half stoppage time saw Burkina Faso snatch a 2-1 victory over 10-man Equatorial Guinea. Pic: AP Photo/Mosa'ab Elshamy.

Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Algeria got their Africa Cup of Nations campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 3-0 victory over 10-man Sudan on Wednesday.

The captain opened the scoring in the second minute and added to the tally on the hour mark against a Sudan side who had to play with 10 men for most of the match. Ibrahim Maza came on as a substitute to score Algeria's third five minutes from time.

Salahedin Adil received a second caution in the 39th minute, becoming the second player to be shown a red card in the tournament which kicked off on Sunday.

Mahrez showed customary calm and precision in converting both his opportunities and confirming Algeria’s status as one of the favourites for success at the tournament in neighbouring Morocco.

Baghdad Bounedjah’s superb pass gave Algeria a dream start with Hicham Boudaoui playing an intelligent back heel to Mahrez, who slotted home from close range.

The second goal came from a clever searching pass from Mohamed Amoura, who used the outside of his boot to curl the ball into Mahrez’s path.

Bounedjah’s header set up Maza for the third with the German-born 20-year-old scoring his first international goal in his ninth appearance for Algeria. It was twice winners Algeria’s 100th goal in tournament history.

Adil Boulbina should have added a fourth in stoppage time but Sudan goalkeeper Monged Elneel made two point-blank stops to add to a number of key saves during the match.

Algeria were watched by France World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, the former Real Madrid coach, whose second son Luca kept goal for Algeria, winning his second cap after switching his international allegiance.

Luca Zidane is a former French junior international but qualified for Algeria through his paternal grandparents.

Algeria go top of Group E on three points, ahead of Burkina Faso on goal difference. The Burkinabe snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over 10-man Equatorial Guinea in Casablanca earlier on Wednesday.

Two goals deep in second-half stoppage time saw Burkina Faso snatch the victory.

Despite having a man sent off early in the second half, Equatorial Guinea took a surprise lead in the 85th minute through substitute Marvin Anieboh and looked on course to pull off another surprise result as they did at the last edition of the Cup of Nations.

But Burkina Faso fought back late, with Georgi Minoungou scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time to equalise before Bundesliga defender Edmond Tapsoba won the points with the last effort of the game.

Algeria and Sudan meet in Rabat later on Wednesday in their first game in Group E.

And then on Wednesday evening, holders Ivory Coast squandered a number of chances but Amad Diallo’s goal early in the second half was enough to beat Mozambique 1-0 and give them a winning start to their title defence.

In the opening Group F game in Morocco, the Ivorians battled to break down their opponents in a competitive first half but took firm control after the break without converting the many chances they created.

Diallo side-footed the ball into the net in the 49th minute to ensure the three-point haul in rainy conditions but the scoreline would have been a lot more emphatic had the Ivorians been sharper in front of goal.

Wilfried Zaha, playing his first international in more than two years after his surprise recall for the Cup of Nations finals, wasted several chances and Franck Kessie had two-point-blank efforts saved by Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan.

Ivorian substitute Vakoun Bayo also had an opportunity with an easy header in front of goal but somehow put it wide and in the 89th minute Bayo had an effort cleared off the line with Ernan caught well out of his goal.

Mozambique brought on winger Dominguez as a second-half substitute at the age of 42 years, one month and six days, becoming the oldest outfield player in tournament history, behind only former Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary, who was 44 when he played in the 2017 final.

Mozambique are still to win a match at the finals, stretching back to their tournament debut in 1986. This is their sixth appearance, with a record of four draws and 12 losses.