Manchester United forward Amad Diallo scored the decisive goal as defending champions Ivory Coast edged Mozambique 1-0 in their Group F opener at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Marrakech on Wednesday.
The Elephants, who are hoping to become the first defending champions since Egypt in 2010 to retain the AFCON title, dominated much of the contest but found it difficult to break down a resilient Mozambique side ranked significantly lower in the FIFA standings.
Ivory Coast missed several chances in the first half, with Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan producing a series of impressive saves, including an acrobatic stop to deny Yan Diomande and a close-range block from Franck Kessie.
The breakthrough came four minutes into the second half when Diallo took advantage of slack defending to meet Kessie’s knockdown and slot a low shot between the legs of defender Reinildo and past the goalkeeper.
Ivory Coast had opportunities to increase their lead, with Ghislain Konan firing wide after being set up by Diallo, while a late counter-attack saw substitute Vakoun Bayo denied by Ernan, with Guima clearing the danger.
Both teams will return to action on Sunday, with Mozambique set to face Gabon in Agadir, while Ivory Coast take on five-time champions Cameroon in Marrakech.
