Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scores the only goal as defending champions Ivory Coast beat Mozambique 1-0 in their Africa Cup of Nations opener.
DEFENDING champions Ivory Coast began their Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a 1-0 victory over Mozambique in Group F.
Manchester United winger Amad Diallo scored the decisive goal in the 49th minute in Marrakesh on Wednesday.
The Elephants dominated the match against opponents ranked 60 places lower in the world football standings.
Ivory Coast aim to become the first nation since Egypt in 2010 to successfully defend the continental crown.
Mozambique’s winless run at the tournament now extends to 16 matches since their 1986 debut.
Winger Elias ‘Domingues’ Pelembe came off the bench for Mozambique at the age of 42, becoming the second-oldest AFCON player ever.
Ivorian teenager Yan Diomande created the first threat, dribbling past several defenders before slipping in the box.
The 19-year-old RB Leipzig forward required medical treatment after falling awkwardly from the challenge.
Diallo had an early free-kick opportunity but fired his effort directly into the defensive wall.
Diomande, wearing a protective mask, then forced a fine save from Mozambican goalkeeper Ernan Siluane with a looping cross.
Defender Ghislain Konan, a survivor from the 2024 winning squad, missed a golden chance by firing wide from close range.
Captain Franck Kessie was denied by Siluane just before half-time with a powerful header from point-blank range.
Rain greeted the teams after the interval, a feature of several matches since the tournament began last Sunday.
Diallo broke the deadlock early in the second half, firing past Siluane from inside the box after a headed knockdown.
Kessie had a chance to double the lead after the hour mark but headed a cross just wide of the target.
Ivory Coast continued to attack and limited Mozambique’s opportunities to find an equaliser throughout the second half.
The defending champions will next face Cameroon and Gabon in their remaining Group F fixtures.
