AFCON 2025: Ivory Coast Open Title Defence With Narrow Win

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By Sedara Philip

‎Defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast began their 2025 AFCON campaign on a winning note, edging Mozambique 1–0 in their Group F opener on Wednesday night at the Stade Marrakesh in Morocco.

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‎Amad Diallo proved to be the difference for the Elephants, scoring early in the second half to secure all three points in a match the holders largely dominated but struggled to put beyond doubt.

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‎The Manchester United winger struck in the 49th minute, calmly guiding his effort into the corner after captain Franck Kessié nodded down a well-delivered cross from Guela Doué.

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‎Ivory Coast controlled possession and dictated the tempo from the opening whistle, pinning Mozambique deep in their own half for long stretches of the encounter.

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‎Despite their dominance, clear-cut chances were at a premium in the first half, with the Mambas’ disciplined defensive shape frustrating the defending champions.

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‎The Elephants came closest before the break when Kessié met a set-piece with a powerful close-range header, only for Mozambique goalkeeper Ernan Siluane to produce a sharp save to keep his side level.

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‎Mozambique, marshalled at the back by experienced defender Reinildo Mandava, showed resilience and determination to weather sustained Ivorian pressure.

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‎After the interval, Ivory Coast raised the intensity and were rewarded almost immediately.

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‎A slick team move down the flank ended with Doué’s cross into the box, where Kessié’s intelligent knockdown set up Diallo for a composed finish that beat Siluane and finally broke the deadlock.

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‎Ivory Coast continued to press for a second goal to kill off the contest, but wasteful finishing kept Mozambique in the game.

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‎Kessié again went close with another header, while substitute Vakoun Bayo narrowly missed the target from a promising position as the Elephants failed to fully capitalize on their superiority.

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‎Mozambique offered little going forward for most of the match, with playmaker Geny Catamo and the Mambas’ attack largely neutralized by a solid Ivorian backline.

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‎A late push from the Southern Africans failed to trouble goalkeeper Yahia Fofana, who preserved the clean sheet with a composed performance.

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‎In the end, Ivory Coast’s single goal was enough to secure maximum points and lay down an early marker in Group F.

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‎ The champions will now turn their attention to a heavyweight clash against Cameroon on Sunday, while Mozambique will seek their first points of the tournament when they face Gabon in their next fixture.

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