Amad Strikes To Give AFCON Holders Ivory Coast Winning Start

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Amad Diallo scored for the Ivory Coast on Wednesday to start their Africa Cup of Nations campaign with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in Marrakech.

After 49 minutes, Diallo led the three-time champions, who faced rivals with rankings that were 60 places below them in Group F.

Ivory Coast will face Cameroon and Gabon in one of their other group games in order to become the first African country to successfully defend the title since Egypt did so in 2010 against Egypt.

On December 24, 2025, Ivory Coast and Mozambique play at Marrakech Stadium’s Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football match. Ivory Coast’s #03 Ghislain Konan crosses the ball while #23 Diogo Calila (2L) watches as the ball is intercepted. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI/AFP)

Since their 1986 debut, Mozambicans have drawn four games and lost 12. They have had long, long-awaited hopes for an AFCON victory.

At the age of 42, winger Elias “Domingues” Pelembe became the second-old player to compete in an AFCON after 44-year-old Egypt goalkeeper Essam El Hadary when he retired from the Mozambique bench.

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Yan Diomande, an ivorian teen, drew the first threat and dribbled past several opponents before slipping into the box when poised to shoot.

The title-holders were immediately alarmed as the 19-year-old, who scored a Bundesliga hat-trick for RB Leipzig this month, fell awkwardly and needed medical attention.

On December 24, 2025, Ivory Coast’s #15 Amad Diallo (C) celebrates scoring the team’s first goal at the Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) Group F football game between Mozambique and Ivory Coast at Marrakech Stadium in Marrakech. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI/AFP)

Diallo had a chance midway through the first half from a free kick he received just outside the area, but he hit the defensive wall with the ball.

Diomande, who was wearing a protective mask, attempted to break the deadlock with a volleyed cross that was headed in front of goal, but it was tipped over by goalkeeper Ernan Siluane.

With a wide shot from close range, Ivory Coast’s defenseman Ghislain Konan wasted a golden opportunity to lead the country. He is a survivor of the 2024 AFCON team.

At the end of the first half, the Elephants had a better chance when Franck Kessie headed goalwards from close range before Siluane, who was well-positioned, got the ball.

After the break, the teams received a welcome rain that has fallen at numerous AFCON matches throughout the kingdom since the tournament’s debut on Sunday.

Diallo fired past Siluane from inside the box after a cross was headed his way, putting an end to the brave, well-organized resistance of the Mozambicans very early in the second half.

Kessie had a chance to increase the lead as the match approached the hour mark, but she only managed to cross the goal.

The Ivory Coast’s repeated attacks severely limited Mozambican’s chances of finding an equalizer with the clumsy lead.