Manchester United's Amad Diallo proved the match-winner for Ivory Coast, scoring the solitary goal that secured a hard-fought victory in their African Cup of Nations opener. The Elephants, defending the title they won in 2023, edged past a resilient Mozambique side 1-0 in Marrakech on Wednesday night to launch their campaign.
A Tight Affair Against Stubborn Opposition
Despite being ranked over 60 places above Mozambique in the FIFA world rankings and boasting a squad filled with elite talent, the Ivorians found the going tough. Stars like Franck Kessie and Wilfried Zaha were kept at bay during a frustrating first half. The underdogs defended resolutely, making it a surprisingly close contest and ensuring the deadlock remained unbroken until after the interval.
Diallo's Decisive Moment
The breakthrough finally came from the boot of Amad Diallo. The 22-year-old Manchester United attacker showed sharp instincts inside the penalty area, latching onto a clever knockdown from midfielder Franck Kessie. With a composed, sweetly-struck right-footed finish, he found the net before wheeling away to celebrate in the pouring Moroccan rain.
His goal, the only one of the game, was enough to secure all three points and send Ivory Coast joint-top of Group F. Their next opponents, Cameroon, also won their opening fixture 1-0 against Gabon, thanks to a Karl Etta Eyong strike assisted by Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.
Group of Death Heats Up
The stage is now set for a colossal showdown on Sunday night in Marrakech. Ivory Coast and Cameroon, two of the pre-tournament favourites, will go head-to-head in a match that could decisively shape the group's outcome. Both Diallo and Mbeumo have carried impressive club form into the tournament, making their club-versus-country clash a fascinating subplot.
The AFCON exodus has also impacted the Premier League, with clubs like Newcastle United feeling the effects. Ruben Amorim's side will be without Mbeumo, Diallo, and Morocco's Noussair Mazraoui for their Boxing Day fixture. Mazraoui's Morocco also started with a win, beating Comoros 2-0 in Rabat.
For Ivory Coast, the mission is clear: to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to win back-to-back African Cup of Nations titles. Their defence, while not flawless, has begun with a crucial victory, masterminded by their young Manchester United star.
